ARROYO GRANDE, Calif.- A year-long investigation into a Central Coast hate crime is turning a new corner. After being stolen and burned, the cross is returned to the church it was taken from.
Thin rope is the only thing holding the charred cross together as it's now placed in front of Saint John's Lutheran Church. It is the same cross that was stolen from the church back in 2011 and then used in a hate crime.
"Even though the power of the cross has been burned and stolen and used for bad things, it takes on a new purpose and new meaning, it's like it has new life," said Pastor Randy Ouimette, Saint John's Lutheran Church.
On March 18, 2011, the wooden cross was set on fire next to the home of a 19-year-old woman of mixed African American descent.
"The Arroyo Grande Police Department alone dedicated almost 3,000 hours of investigative effort to the incident," said Chief Steven Annibali, Arroyo Grande Police Department.
Back in April, three of the four suspects, Jason Khan, William Soto and Sara Matheny plead no contest to four felony counts including arson and terrorism. Khan, the alleged ringleader was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Soto and Matheny were sentenced to five. As for the forth suspect, Jeremiah Hernandez, he went to trial and was found guilty.
A much smaller cross now stands where the original cross used to be. Members of the church say after seeing the burned cross they don't think it's strong enough to be put back outside.
"When we looked at it, it really needed to be strapped and it really needed to be modified to so many ways, it wouldn't be quite the same. For me it represents an opportunity for transformation, not only for the cross but for our community," said Shelly Malcolm, a church member.
While the cross may not ever stand on its own again members of the community are working together to create a display with the cross remains.
