Man pleads not guilty in ‘white power’ assault case

A Costa Mesa man denied charges that he attacked a group of men outside a pool hall in what police say was a racially motivated crime.

Claude Wyman, 36, pleaded not guilty Friday in Orange County Superior Court to attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats, according to court records.

Each charge includes a sentencing enhancement for participating in a criminal street gang, which Wyman also denied.

Costa Mesa police arrested Wyman on Aug. 28 after an altercation outside Games Plus on West 19th Street in Costa Mesa.

Police allege that Wyman yelled “white power” and used a racial slur before threatening to stab or kill two black men and a Latino man. Police say Wyman then brandished a large folding knife and made a stabbing motion at one of the men, who picked up a small table as a shield.

Officers took Wyman into custody a few blocks away after he rode off on a bike, police said.

According to court records, Wyman pleaded guilty in 1996 to attempted murder, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, assault with a firearm and two felony enhancements for participating in a criminal street gang.

In 2010, he pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon.

Wyman is being held at Orange County Jail without bail.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck