Two held in attack on N.J. homeless man posted on YouTube
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A 20-year-old man and a teenage companion who authorities say beat up a homeless man, captured the bloody attack on video and then posted the images on YouTube face charges of assault and conspiracy in a crime that has stunned people for its brutality and brazenness.
It is not clear exactly when the attack occurred, but it appeared to be recently. One of the attackers is heard on the video yelling ‘Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever ... you are’ as his companion flees with the victim’s bicycle.
By Tuesday morning, the video had been removed from YouTube.
The Associated Press reported that police say they learned of the video assault in a wooded area of Wall Township, N.J., on Sunday.
It showed one young man, whom police have identified as 20-year-old Taylor Giresi, repeatedly punching and kicking a confused-looking man with a graying beard as another person -- presumably the cameraman -- yells encouragement. ‘Just dive on him! Dive on him!’ the filmmaker shouts at one point.
News12 New Jersey identified the victim as 50-year-old David Ivins, of Wall Township, and quoted him as saying that the two accused of beating him up also had thrown rocks and bottles at him on another occasion.
Giresi, whose Facebook page had been removed by early Tuesday, was charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit assault and held on $60,000 bail. His 17-year-old companion, whose name was not released because he is a minor, was charged with conspiracy.
The AP said a Facebook page that had appeared to be Giresi’s described him as a model whose favorite TV shows include ‘Jersey Shore’ and ‘Jackass.’
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