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Judge Orders Man To Write Reports About Religion

BAY CITY (WWJ/AP) - A Michigan man who authorities say attacked two men because he believed they were Muslims has been ordered to write a report on the history of Hinduism.

Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph Sheeran on Monday sentenced 26-year-old Delane Bell to two years of probation, with the condition he write the 10-page report.

Bell, a resident of Bangor Township, pleaded no contest in March to ethnic intimidation in the November attack. Authorities say Bell was standing outside of a Bay City bar when he yelled "jihad" and "Osama bin Laden" at two men of Indian descent. Police say Bell punched one of the men and struck the other's car.

Sheeran said the men who were attacked are actually Hindus, not Muslims.

"I want you to educate yourself on the accomplishments of their actual ethnic and religious backgrounds," Sheeran told Bell at a sentencing  hearing.

Bell said that he takes "full responsibility" for his actions, telling the judge "I assure you, you won't see me in this courtroom again."

A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing. The judge earlier ordered Bell to write 10 pages about accomplishments of Muslims.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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