FARMINGTON, N.M.—A man accused of attacking another man for being gay has been convicted of kidnapping and aggravated battery.

But a New Mexico state district court jury has rejected prosecutors’ arguments that the attack was a hate crime.

The jury returned its verdict May 6 in the trial of 22-year-old Scott Thompson.

Matthew Shetima testified that he was walking near a Farmington, N.M., hotel last Sept. 22 when Thompson punched him in the face and dragged him into a motel room.

Shetima says he was called a faggot and was hit and kicked by several men in the motel room.