Nassau officials are complaining the state hate crime definition is too narrow and want to change it so that the burden of proof is placed on the suspect.

Those critical of the definition say the four Hispanic men accused of viciously attacking a black man outside a Roosevelt deli Sunday should have been charged with a hate crime. While the men allegedly yelled racial slurs at 52-year-old Darrell Jackson during the beating, investigators say it does not appear that they went after Jackson because of his race. Therefore, under current law it could not be classified as a hate crime.

?As soon as a racial slur is brought into it, it should be classified as a hate crime,? Barbara Wohler, of Roosevelt, says.

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey and others called on state lawmakers Tuesday to amend the New York hate crime statute.

?We're suggesting that when that type of language is used, in the commission of the crime, that it should be presumptive evidence under the state law that it should be qualified as a hate crime,? Suozzi says.