MISSOULA, Mont. – A man who reported being beaten outside a Montana bar because he's gay, drawing national attention, pleaded guilty Tuesday to filing a false police report after a video showed him causing his own injuries while horsing around.
Police say Joseph Baken claimed three men beat him early Sunday after he went into a Missoula bar, announced it was his birthday and asked if anyone knew where he could find a gay bar.
Photos of Baken's badly bruised face were posted on an anti-homophobia Facebook page and other sites, and the case prompted widespread support from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Baken was charged after police received a video of him trying to do a backflip off a curb and hitting his face on the sidewalk. Lt. Scott Brodie says the decision to file charges was partially due to the fear and anger prompted by his claims.
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