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An Alabama woman is in the hospital after being severely beaten on Thanksgiving, allegedly by her girlfriend’s brother, because she is a lesbian. 23-year old Mallory Owens is recovering from the assault and subsequent reconstructive surgery at USA Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama.
The family reportedly wants the alleged attacker, Travis Hawkins Jr., in jail and charged with a hate crime and attempted murder. Currently, news reports state Hawkins is out on bond for second-degree assault.
Caution: Graphic image below.
“He tried to kill her. He’s lucky he didn’t kill her. She’s lucky to be alive,” WKRG reports her mother Kristi Taylor said.
“I didn’t recognize her when I got here. It’s hard to look at her like that,” she cried.
The twenty-three year old was celebrating Thanksgiving at her girlfriend’s house in Mobile Thursday night, when her mother says her girlfriend’s brother attacked her, just for being gay.
“She was invited over by the family to eat Thanksgiving. I did not want her to go, I begged her not to go, knowing how the family felt about her. But she said, ‘They’re trying to be nice.'”
Mallory’s mother says this isn’t the first time he’s attacked her. Earlier this year, family members tell News 5 that Travis Hawkins Jr. hit Mallory over the head with a pipe wrench. She was injured, but the family did not pursue charges after that incident.
This time, she was beaten so badly that she’s almost unrecognizable. She had to have facial reconstruction surgery, with metal plates put in her cheek bones. Her sister Avery has been by her side ever since.
“I want him behind bars for life,” said Avery Godwin. “He doesn’t need to be out, because if he does he could do this to someone else or he’ll finish it off with my sister.”
A Change.org petition to the Mobile County Alabama Prosecutor with over 1500 signatures reads:
Mallory was an invited guest Thanksgiving Day to her gf fam dinner & brother, Trais Hawkins Jr, has been arrested, charged, and released on bail for ONLY 2nd degree assault! Mallory had experienced a brain bleed, reconstructive facial surgeries, (metal plates due to crushed cheek bones), and skull fractures! This at best was an attempted murder! Mallory deserves justice for the horrific attack & by the Grace of God her long road to recover! It is reported that the accused attackers family stood by, did not intervene, and have threatened the victim family!
Image of Mallory Owens via Facebook: Sonia Mason
Image, top, via Change.org
Hat tip: Towleroad