A 41-year-old white man who tried to sic his pit bull on an African-American man who was walking home from church in Northeast Portland was sentenced to 16 days in jail on Monday.

Mathu Dwain Karcher also called the target of his hate the n-word and told him "You're in the wrong neighborhood," investigators say. After Karcher's dog disobeyed his command to attack Jerry Duckett, Karcher followed Duckett into a Plaid Pantry near Northeast Marine Drive and Interstate 5, investigators say. Duckett told police that Karcher threatened to kick his "ass."

The incident happened at about 6:30 p.m. last Sept. 24.

Duckett told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Tuesday that, at first, he thought Karcher's dog had broken free of its owner and run up to him. But then Karcher told him it was no accident and that he wanted the dog to attack him. Karcher also made his feelings known by uttering that racial slur, Duckett said.

"I was really scared," said Duckett, 56.

Duckett said he has lived all of his life in Portland and previously had never been targeted as the victim of a hate crime or had a stranger yell the epithet at him.

Duckett said he was unable to run away from Karcher because he had an injured leg. He called police and waited in the convenience store for them to arrive. An officer gave him a ride home.

On Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Karcher pleaded no contest to second-degree intimidation, a misdemeanor.

At the hearing, Duckett said he forgave him.

"I'm a Christian," Duckett later explained to The Oregonian/OregonLive. "I don't want to have resentment in my heart against him, because it tears the soul down."

When given a chance to speak at the hearing, Karcher didn't apologize and said he wasn't racist.

As part of his sentence, Karcher also must perform 20 hours of community service and be on probation for two years.

Karcher’s 16-day jail sentence already has been served -- because he received credit for the time he spent locked away after his September arrest.

Karcher’s criminal history dates back 22 years, to the time he was a teenager. Among his convictions: possession of methamphetamine, fourth-degree assault, menacing and criminal mischief.

Court papers say he was homeless and unemployed at the time he targeted Duckett. It's unclear why, but Karcher no longer owns the pit bull.

-- Aimee Green