By Calvin Palmer
Three people appeared in court today in Central Islip, New York, and pleaded not guilty to aggravated harassment charges in connection with an attack on a lesbian.
Police were called to a fight at Mastic Beach on Monday night and arrested Nora Mitzner, 21, of Westhampton Beach; Lindsay McBeth, 25, of Medford; and Selwyn Icangelo, 25, of Mastic Beach.
The three were alleged to have kicked, hit and pushed the unidentified woman while making remarks about her sexual orientation.
A police spokesman said the victim’s injuries were not serious enough to merit the assault as a hate crime charge.
“According to what the victim told us and what the press release stated, it certainly sounds like a hate crime to me,” said David Kilmnick, CEO of Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth. “I’m still hopeful it will get followed up as a hate crime.”
[Based on a report by newsday.com and Long Island Press.]
Sounds like a hate crime to me. What does the extent of injury have to do with whether it “warrants” being called a hate crime. “The three were alleged to have kicked, hit and pushed the unidentified woman while making remarks about her sexual orientation.”
This is a hate crime and the courts will let it go unpunished. What a sad testimony to our times.
The sad part is that these people have been trouble to this neighborhood for a very long time. They were heard threatening her and yelling slurs and anti-gay remarks even after the attack. This is a quiet neighborhood except for the few, such as these, that cause these incidents.
The “victim” confessed to getting in an argument with the “real victims” about pictures being taken with out their consent. Though legal, it is still harassment. Some people WILL fight because of that. Also, i’ve found out that the police had never even taken a statement from the three suspects. One more thing. Did any of you find out about “the victim’s” bat being smashed against Icangelo’s girlfriend’s car while her kids were in there? of course not. Because “the victim” is just a poor woman being attacked because of her sexual preference, right? Please don’t condemn without facts.
the thought of someone having others locked in jail for a crime as serious as this one when it was just a simple one on one is a horrible situation for real victims of biased attacks. she should also be a suspect. lots of people would cry and lie to avoid jail. It makes me think…
This is no hate crime, It is scary to think how easy it is for something so simple to be taken out of context, manipulated, and turned into something that is such a waste of energy. I have followed this story from the beginning, I know it has tarnished the names of the Accused, and Unfortunately the real injustice is that the girl who cried wolf won’t be taught a lesson.