(JTA) — A woman in Boise, Idaho, allegedly harassed and physically attacked her Jewish neighbor in order to convince her to convert to Christianity.
Marguerite Haragan, 58, was charged last week with two counts of malicious harassment in the attack, which police have labeled a hate crime, the KTVB television station in Boise reported. She could face up to five years in prison for each count.
Haragan first harassed the alleged victim, who was identified in court as A.G., with phone calls. On Feb. 5, she went to A.G.’s home and banged on her window while shouting that she “better believe in Jesus,” and that she would not leave until A.G. did, the Idaho Statesman reported, citing a recording of Haragan’s arraignment.
When AG opened the door to get Haragan’s license plate number, Haragan slapped her in the face, pulled her hair and threw her to the ground, then kicked her in the stomach before pressing her foot into A.G.’s throat until the Jewish woman said she would believe in Jesus. Haragan returned to the home two days later and wrote “death” on A.G.’s mailbox.
The court barred Haragan from talking to A.G. or going near her, according to KTVB.
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