Defendants Face Severe Sentences For Religiously Motivated Attacks In New Jersey

Two recent cases in New Jersey show how seriously courts view violence if it is motivated by religion. Generally speaking, these kinds of offenses fall into the category of “hate crimes.” As a result, anyone who carries out religiously motivated violence usually faces much more severe penalties compared to someone who carries out a random act of violence. What if you were accused of assaulting someone because of their religion? In this situation, it is particularly important to consult with an experienced New City assault defense lawyer.

New Jersey Man Gets 40 Years for Running Over Orthodox Jews 

In July of 2024, NBC News reported that a man from Ocean County had been sentenced to 40 years in prison for intentionally attacking several Orthodox Jews with numerous vehicles. The spree of violence occurred in 2022, and it left several victims with serious injuries.

The attack began when the defendant carjacked a Jewish man in Lakewood, forcing him out of his vehicle and assaulting him in the process. A few hours later, he approached another Jewish man in a different vehicle and intentionally struck him before driving away. With the victim lying on the ground with several broken bones, he proceeded to attack another Orthodox Jew in  a similar manner. Not satisfied with hitting the man with his car, the defendant then exited the vehicle before stabbing the victim several times in the chest. In total, the defendant attacked five different Jewish victims.

The authorities noted that the defendant had been charged with several carjacking offenses and violating the Hate Crime Prevention Act.

Man Sentenced to 65 Years for Murder After Religious Argument 

Also in July of 2024, it was reported that a man had been sentenced to 65 years for causing fatal injuries to a victim after an argument over religion. One of the most notable aspects of this story is the fact that the defendant and the victim were apparently friends at the time of the incident.

The defendant later admitted that he had a verbal disagreement with the victim about religion. He also admitted to striking him with his fists and feet – eventually “stomping” the victim to death after he fell onto the ground. The defendant was charged with two offenses: Aggravated assault and attempted murder. However, there was no mention of whether the defendant had been charged with a hate crime.

Find an Experienced Assault Defense Lawyer in Bergen County 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced Bergen County assault defense lawyer, look no further than Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law. We know that assault charges can be quite serious in New Jersey – especially if there are alleged religious motives. With our help, you can make every effort to avoid excessive hate crime charges and pursue positive outcomes. Reach out today to get started with an effective defense strategy based on your unique circumstances.

Sources: 

nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/40-years-prison-man-plead-violent-attacks-orthodox-jewish-men-new-jersey/3921779/

nj.com/camden/2024/07/man-who-stomped-friend-to-death-after-fight-over-religion-handed-long-prison-sentence.html