By msnbc.com staff
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. -- Two women who claimed that someone painted the words "Kill the Gay" on their garage door in Parker are now charged with spray painting the phrase themselves, NBC station KUSA of Denver reported.
The women deny the charge.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office arrested Aimee Whitchurch, 37, and Christel Conklin, 29. Both face charges of criminal mischief and false reporting. Whitchurch also faces a charge of forgery, KUSA reported. Each is free on $1,000 bail.
The women reported the incident Oct. 28, saying they were victims of a hate crime.
When deputies arrived at the home on Lark Water Lane, they found the words in red spray paint on the garage door. The next day, investigators went back to the home after receiving a report that a noose was left on the front door handle.
The women told investigators that they felt the incidents were retaliation for issues they were having with their homeowner's association and their neighbors.
Investigators now say they believe Whitchurch and Conklin spray painted their own garage and placed the noose themselves.
On Thursday, Whitchurch told KDVR of Denver they now suspect a former roommate falsely told the FBI that they had painted the words.
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