A gay Republican who said he was the target of a brutal beating last week because of his political beliefs and sexual orientation has recanted statements he previously made to Madison, Wis., police.
In an updated incident report released Oct. 29, police say Kyle Wood recanted his earlier statements during an interview with Madison Police detectives on Monday afternoon. According to the report, the case will be cleared as "unfounded."
Wood, 29, originally contacted police the morning of Oct. 24 to say he had been assaulted at his home after a man entered through an unlocked door. First reported by The Daily Caller, a conservative website based in D.C., Wood said his face had been smashed into a mirror and a ligature was wrapped around his neck. Although Wood would not label the attack a "hate crime," telling numerous news outlets that he did not believe in hate crimes, he alleged that he had been targeted because he is gay and conservative.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Wood could face criminal charges for obstructing police and filing a false police report.
Wood is a volunteer for Republican congressional candidate Chad Lee, who is challenging out gay Democrat Mark Pocan for the congressional seat being vacated by out Rep. Tammy Baldwin. Wood has since been dismissed from Lee's campaign.
According to what Wood told The Daily Caller's Dustin Siggins, who described Wood as a "friend" on Twitter, the attack was preceded by acts of vandalism, including graffiti on his car that included the phrases "house trained republican faggot," "traitor" and "ur like a jew 4 hitler."
After the initial report, it was also claimed that Pocan's partner, Philip Frank, had threatened Wood via text message. According to Pocan's campaign manageer, Dan McNally, they are considering legal action.
"We are currently in discussions with an attorney and intend to sue for libel or defamation," McNally told The Daily Page in an email.
In recent days Wood's story has elicited sympathy from the leaders of GOProud as well as Lee's campaign, which is facing an uphill battle against Pocan in the heavily Democratic district.
Although Wood was hospitalized for his injuries, Madison Police were not immediately available to comment on whether those injuries were self-inflicted.
[Photo: Kyle Wood (Courtesy of The Daily Caller).]
