Mom Says Midtown Hate Crime Suspect Has Been Battling Mental Illness After Military

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A man accused of attacking three musicians in Midtown Sacramento over the weekend faced a judge for the first time on Thursday.

Timothy Brownell was arrested after he turned himself in. He did not enter a plea.

Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime because the victims said Brownell used a gay slur before stabbing the victims. They say he attacked because the musicians wore skinny jeans.

Brownell's mother says her son has been suffering from a mental illness after his time in the military.

Brownell will be back in court on July 2.

One of the victims, Blake Abbey, spoke to CBS13 off camera, thanking his doctors and the community for their support, and encouraged people to spread love and not hate.