Wenzola Rountree, a resident of Central Islip, Suffolk County was charged with a hate crime after he apparently assaulted two men because they were gay, as he kicked and beat the men profusely and verbally harassed them. He caused them to have bruises, cuts and scrapes. He punched one of the victims in his eye which led him to receive nine stitches. A witness claimed that the men were fighting for about 20 minutes as the victims yelled for help and for the aggressor to stop. The victims were taken to South Side Hospital in Bay Shore, Long Island. Wenzola Rountree was being held on $50,000.00 bail at the first district court in Central Islip, having no remorse for his actions he quickly told an officer that he would gladly do it again.
A Suffolk County executive claims that attacks as such are not tolerated in Suffolk County and all offenders as such “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Hate crimes are intended to hurt and intimidate some one because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Hate Crime laws have been adopted on the federal and state level that increases the penalties for crimes committed.
If you are being charged with a hate crime you need a fierce New York Criminal Lawyer at your side. Not having a Long Island Criminal Lawyer may lead to trouble in terms of not knowing your rights and options. The firm of Stephen Bilkis & Associates has excellent Long Island Criminal Attorneys and can be of great assistance to you.
The firm of Stephen Bilkis & Associates and its New York Crime Attorneys with convenient locations helps people throughout the NY Area including Astoria, NY and can be of great assistance to you if you find yourself a defendant in a criminal action. Facing a prosecutor without a NY Criminal Lawyer could lead to a horrible situation.