LOWELL, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Barry County woman accused of using a racial slur during an assault at a Lowell car dealership will not face any racial intimidation charges.
Previously, Shelly Lynn Hueckel had brought her vehicle to the Betten Baker GMC dealership to weigh trade-in possibilities.
The appraisal valued her vehicle as lower than expected. An altercation developed during which Hueckel accused employee Terrance Smith of being a scam artist, hitting him multiple times. Smith and a witness testified that she had used slurs during the incident.
An attorney testifying for Hueckel said that her actions were done in anger and were not racially motivated.
Kent County Circuit Court Judge Paul Sullivan, while explaining his verdict, said he believed that Hueckel would have reacted in a similar manner at any other dealership.
As a result, Hueckel was not charged with racial intimidation, but was charged with misdemeanor assault. The charge could result in up to 93 days in jail.
