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By: Hal C Clarke
In a significant turn of events, three individuals involved in a heinous anti-Semitic attack in Midtown have recently pleaded guilty to their crimes. The assault, which took place on May 20, 2021, in the Diamond District, shocked the nation when it went viral on video, The NY Post reported.
The attackers, identified as Mahmoud Musa, Mohammed Othman, and Mohammed Said Othman, now find themselves facing legal consequences that could result in several years behind bars.
Mahmoud Musa and Mohammed Othman have both pled guilty to the charge of second-degree assault as a hate crime. This decision was reached on Wednesday, and the Manhattan prosecutors did not make any promises regarding sentencing in exchange for their guilty pleas. As a result, these two individuals may be sentenced to a period ranging from 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison when their sentencing hearing takes place on October 25.
On a separate note, a third attacker, Mohammed Said Othman, chose to plead guilty to attempted gang assault in connection with the violent clash that occurred between supporters of Israel and Palestine. In his plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to a three-year sentence for Said Othman.
Joseph Borgen, the 31-year-old victim of this horrific assault, expressed relief upon hearing about the guilty pleas. He viewed the prospect of jail time for the assailants as “great news” and a clear message that violence against individuals based on their religion or ethnicity would not be tolerated. He emphasized that perpetrators would not receive lenient sentences but would instead face significant time behind bars. Borgen’s enthusiasm for justice was fueled by his disappointment earlier in the summer when another defendant, Waseem Awawdeh, received a relatively light sentence of just 18 months in jail and openly declared his readiness to repeat the attack.
Nicholas Ramcharitar, a lawyer representing Mohammed Othman, noted that his client decided to accept responsibility for his role in the savagery that transpired during the riots, acknowledging the need for accountability.
The violent incident that led to these guilty pleas unfolded in the Diamond District when a pickup truck filled with Palestinian flag-waving protesters fired a firework into a crowd of Israeli activists during a period of renewed hostilities in the Middle East. Joseph Borgen, who was wearing a yarmulke, was among those targeted. He was pepper-sprayed and subjected to anti-Semitic slurs hurled at him by a group of individuals.
The physical toll on Borgen was significant, leaving him with a concussion, wrist injury, black eye, and numerous bruises on his body. He underwent two surgeries on his wrist and continues to experience daily pain despite receiving physical therapy.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed his commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for hate crimes, emphasizing that anti-Semitic attacks would not be tolerated in Manhattan. He pledged to work closely with communities to address the root causes of hate crimes and prevent future incidents.
In conclusion, the guilty pleas of the three individuals involved in the anti-Semitic assault in Midtown represent a step towards justice for the victim and a strong message against hate crimes. The legal process will determine their sentences, but these pleas underscore the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that hate-driven violence is met with serious consequences.
