2 men charged with hate crime in assault at O.C. park
Two men were facing hate crime and assault charges Friday for allegedly yelling anti-Semitic slurs while beating and robbing a man in a Coto de Caza park, Orange County prosecutors said.
The 23-year-old victim, whose name was not released, suffered a broken jaw, nose and eye socket; severe facial bruising; cuts; cracked ribs, and a concussion, authorities said. The assault occurred about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Orange County sheriff’s deputies arrested Matthew Gregory Branstetter and Nolan John Wickham, both 19-year-old Rancho Santa Margarita residents. Each was charged with aggravated assault and second-degree robbery with potentially harsher sentencing for committing a hate crime, prosecutors said.
The suspects -- along with a third accomplice who has not yet been arrested -- allegedly demanded money from the victim, who told them he had none. They allegedly went on to kick and punch him while yelling anti-Semitic slurs, and stole his jacket and cellphone, prosecutors said.
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EDITOR'S PICKS:
The attack at Dodger Stadium by the two Latinos thugs was also a hate crime!
p.s. I know the LA Times won't print this it's not PC!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | April 08, 2011 at 06:29 PM
The attack at Dodger Stadium was not a hate crime. It had nothing to do with race. Get a life dude!
Posted by: djy | April 08, 2011 at 07:46 PM
What makes you say the Dodger Stadium incident was a hate crime? Too many people say the words "hate crime" while having no idea what a hate crime is. There are specific and articulated elements in the hate crime legislation.
Posted by: Crazy Horse | April 08, 2011 at 08:29 PM
They printed it and you are right.
Whites are now going to see more hate as minorities. Haven't we learned anything? Now hate crimes are brought to you by drug gang thuglets.
Posted by: Clem | April 08, 2011 at 10:04 PM
crime of any nature against another person with intend to inflict bodily harm of any kind is terrible, the animals need to be locked up for long time................
Posted by: ricky Luna | April 09, 2011 at 08:07 AM
Prosecute to the FULLEST extent of the law! These 19 year old 'men' knew exactly what they were doing and that it was wrong as well. Please no 'slap on the wrist' and returning them to their parents...........THAT would be the travesty........and oh..........how 'bout restitution for all medical costs form repair to rehabilitation for the victim????
Posted by: theodore Schraff | April 09, 2011 at 10:33 AM