Two lesbians who claimed to be victims of a hate crime last year when hateful messages were scrawled on their Colorado home are now being accused of perpetrating a hoax.
Aimee Whitchurch, 37, and Christel Conklin, 29, told authorities last October that vandals had spray-painted "Kill the Gay" on their garage door and left a noose on their doorstep.
The couple, who live in a rented condominium in Parker, Colo., said they believed the alleged incidents were in retaliation for disputes they were having with their Homeowner's Association over their dog.
The FBI reportedly became involved in the investigation. The two women were tested by federal agents to see whether they had spray-paint residue on their palms, Fox affiliate KDVR-reported. They were also asked to take a lie detector test, but declined, according to the station.
Authorities later determined that the women were responsible for the spray-painted words.
"Through the investigation and from witness statements, it was determined that allegations of the incident were false," said Douglas County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Cocha Hedyen. "Detectives were able to determine that the two women involved were responsible for the words that were spray painted on the garage and the placement of the noose on their own front door."
Both women face two counts of criminal mischief and two counts of false reporting, according to the station.
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