Former IU student sentenced in attack of Muslim woman
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) – A former Indiana University student was sentenced Monday during a change of plea hearing after attacking a Muslim woman.
Triceton Bickford was arrested in October 2015.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the Muim woman was sitting at a table with her 9-year-old daughter when a man later identified as Bickford emerged from a nearby alley shouting “white power,” anti-black racial slurs and “kill the police.” Bickford grabbed the woman by the neck and forced her head forward, restricting her breathing as he tried to remove her headscarf, police say.
Bickford’s attorney said he has no memory of the incident and that a combination of drinking alcohol and not taking his anti-anxiety medication caused him to snap.
Last week, a plea agreement was reached between the defense and prosecution.
The judge approved that agreement during Monday’s hearing, where Bickford pleaded guilty to one count of battery with moderate bodily injury, a misdemeanor. All other charges were dismissed, and Bickford was sentenced to 360 days in the Monroe County Jail with time served.
In addition, Bickford was sentenced to 356 days of probation, to be handled by Allen County. He was also instructed to continue his medical treatment, included his prescribed medication.