Last of NYC hate-crime trio sentenced to 3 years in prison for 2021 antisemitic beating
“These defendants violently targeted and assaulted another individual simply because he is Jewish,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
“These defendants violently targeted and assaulted another individual simply because he is Jewish,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
“Eric Smokes and David Warren lost decades of their life to an unjust conviction,” said Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, in a statement. “I am inspired by the unyielding advocacy of Mr. Smokes and Mr. Warren and hope that today’s decision can finally bring them a measure of comfort and justice.”
Smokes and Warren have long said that at the time Casse was attacked they were four blocks away, outside the Latin Quarter nightclub. Their friends backed up the alibi, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said.
“As alleged, Esteban Esonoasue viciously attacked three strangers at Grand Central Terminal, one of our city’s most-visited and beloved landmarks,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Two teenage tourists were seriously injured while enjoying their holiday trip to New York with their family, and a woman was attacked in the neck with a fork. We don’t tolerate violence in our transit hubs and I wish the victims a speedy recovery.”
“These defendants violently targeted and assaulted another individual simply because he is Jewish,” said District Attorney Bragg. “While this Office will always support the right to peacefully protest and engage in open dialogue, these multi-year prison sentences make clear that physically attacking someone because of their religion is never acceptable. I thank our Hate Crimes Unit for its diligent work in this case.”