Judge finds evidence against hate attacker

NEW YORK: In a Queens Family Court criminal trial, Judge Fran Lubow has found evidence against Student Doe, a Richmond Hill High School student whose name is being withheld because he is a minor, for violently attacking Jagmohan Singh Premi, a fellow student at the high school, in June 2008.

On June 3, 2008, Student Doe attempted to remove Jagmohan's patka (small turban) and pulled at his beard, both of which are articles of Jagmohan's Sikh faith.  Student Doe then punched Jagmohan repeatedly, including in the face, while holding a key with the pointed end protruding from his fist.  As a result of the attack, Jagmohan, among other things, suffered a large laceration under his left eye.

Student Doe had a long history of tormenting and harassing Jagmohan, which was known to Jagmohan's teachers and to Richmond Hill High School.  In fact, on several occasions, Jagmohan's father brought the harassment to the attention of teachers at the school and sought their assistance in protecting his son.  The high school did nothing.

Following the June 2008 incident, juvenile proceedings were instituted against by the City of New York in Queens Family Court before Judge Lubow.  After a trial, which included testimony from Jagmohan, Judge Lubow issued her findings. 

Judge Lubow specifically found against Jagmohan's attacker on three of the four counts in the petition: 1) Assault in the Second Degree, charged as a Hate Crime; 2) Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree; and 3) Criminal Possession of Weapon in the Fourth Degree.  The sentencing hearing in this matter is scheduled for September 9 before Judge Lubow in Queens Family Court.  Student Doe faces a maximum of 18 months in juvenile detention.

India Post News Service