Lesbian couple arrested, charged with staging a "hate crime" -- your thoughts?

A lesbian couple who claimed they were victims of a hate crime have
been arrested after police determined they staged the incidents.

On Oct. 28, Aimee Whitchurch, 37, and Christel Conklin, 29, called
police and reported the words “Kill the Gay” were scrawled in red spray
paint on the garage door of their Parker, Colo., home.

The next day, the couple told deputies they found a noose hanging on the handle of their front door.

The women told officers they believed the incidents were retaliation
from their neighbors and homeowner’s association, who had complained the
couple did not pick up after their dogs.

Due to the nature of the crimes, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
worked in tandem with the FBI to investigate. After reviewing witness
statements, authorities determined Whitchurch and Conklin had staged the
incidents.

Both women are charged with criminal mischief and false reporting. Whitchurch faces an additional charge of forgery.

She told ABC’s Denver affiliate KMGH-TV police were mistaken and vowed to fight the charges.

“This is a fight I started. This is a fight I’m going to finish. This
is a fight I’m right on,” she said. “I have every right to live where I
want to live.”