The case of the State of Rhode Island versus Dr. Richard Gordon is currently being heard in Sixth Division District Court, and local officials believe the case could be decided soon.

The case stems from an incident on Aug. 3, when Dr. Gordon allegedly yelled racial slurs at one of his neighbors and got into a physical altercation during a dispute over property lines. The alleged victim's wife video-recorded portions of the incident and shared it on Facebook.

Barrington police investigated and on Aug. 7 charged Dr. Gordon with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

On Aug. 9, the RI Attorney General's office decided to prosecute the case, and also filed a notice of sentencing enhancement to the Hate Crimes Sentencing Act.

The case drew statewide attention, and a rally was held outside the Rumstick Drive home of Dr. Gordon.

According to Rhode Island General Laws, a misdemeanor charge, such as simple assault and/or disorderly conduct, that has been filed with the Hate Crimes Sentencing Act, would carry a minimum penalty of 30 days mandatory imprisonment, and not more than a year in jail. The defendant would not be afforded "the provisions of filing, suspension of sentence, or probation." For a simple assault misdemeanor that was not filed with the Hate Crimes Sentencing Act, the penalty is up to 1 year in jail and a fine.

Dr. Gordon, through his attorney, has said that his neighbor assaulted him with a hammer prior to his rant.

Dr. Gordon's attorney, Matthew S. Dawson, said he was disappointed that the AG's office filed the sentencing enhancement.

"Although certainly unfortunate, the incident of Aug. 3, 2020 stemmed from a property dispute between neighbors who have known each other for a number of years. Nothing that transpired was in any way motivated by racial animus or hostility toward the victim."