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Man who had been arrested for stabbing Brighton rabbi repeatedly has hate-crime charges added

Khaled Awad, charged with repeatedly stabbing a rabbi outside a Jewish school in Brighton Center, was also formally charged today with committing a civil rights violation causing injury; and armed assault and battery to intimidate causing bodily injury while armed, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

Witnesses reported that Mr. Awad held strong biases against Jews, Christians and American culture. He had repeatedly called Jews "evil" and used other derogatory and degrading language. The totality of the circumstances indicate that the Rabbi was likely targeted due to his religion. as he stood outside of the Jewish day school, in front of an enormous menorah, wearing a yarmulke, holding the keys to the school van.

A judge ordered Awad held without bail until at least a dangerousness hearing, now scheduled for July 29.

In a court hearing today:

[Assistant DA Margaret] Hegarty told the court that Mr. Awad had been present outside the Shaloh House Jewish day school on the day prior to the attack, acting in a suspicious manner that raised the concern of a witness. That witness ultimately took a photo of Mr. Awad to document his presence near the Jewish day school.

The following day, security camera footage captured Mr. Awad approaching the victim, Rabbi Shlomo Noginski on the Jewish day school’s steps as a children’s camp was underway at the location. Mr. Awad allegedly drew a weapon that appeared to be a gun, and demanded the keys to the school van. The rabbi, in fear, handed over the keys. Mr. Awad motioned for the rabbi to enter the van; at the same time, he put away the weapon and pulled out a knife, prosecutors said.

Rabbi Noginski took advantage of that opportunity and ran, screaming, from Mr. Awad. It is alleged that Mr. Awab stabbed him nine times as he attempted to flee. ...

Boston Police officers located Mr. Awad in a nearby alleyway. He was armed and brandished a gun at the officers. Boston Police Officers engaged in excellent police work, deescalating the interaction and convincing Mr. Awad to drop his weapon. Mr. Awad was taken into custody with a struggle, but without a single weapon being discharged.

Innocent, etc.

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Comments

Just had to chuckle listening to Awads defense attorney's claims that there is no evidence of a hate crime merely a crime of opportunity.

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While it gives the prosecutor one more thing to charge it also forces them to prove one more charge in court aand gives the defense one more thing to appeal.

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Civil rights violations and hate crimes shouldn’t be charged because they might be appealed?

I don’t understand the point of this comment.

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It is familiar with the idea of what a "hate crime" is, although I wouldn't go so far as to say it understands the concept. It's merely being disingenuous and pretending that it isn't sensible public safety practice to identify crimes where the victim is targeted because of their membership in a group.

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I'm just stating an opinion,.
Prosecutors don't have to prove a motive,right?
The extra charge now puts a burden on them to prove a motive as well as the actual crime...If this dirtbag(allegedly) has proof he dated a jewish girl or has jewish friends etc., he might get off on the hate crime charge, I say put all effort in convicting him of attempted murder.

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This is a big case and there will be multiple ADA's assigned to it.

And this will never see a jury. Although they probably will fight the hate crime charges, you don't not prosecute because you want to focus on the other charge. Their job is to charge people with crimes, and this was a hate crime.

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The idea that Awad, who arrived here from Egypt 4 years ago and who witnesses in FL and MA state that he has strong views against Jews, has a secret Jewish ex-girlfriend that will nullify the prosecution’s case for a hate crime perpetrated on the Rabbi is not a credible idea. No one’s worried about that.

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Because you obviously are not cut out for a career in the criminal-justice system. Even if he had a Jewish girlfriend (you have proof of that or are "just askin' "?) that doesn't mean he can't be a virulent anti-Semite or charged with hate crimes.

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Because you don't like my opinion?

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Because you don't like my opinion?

No, because you're intellectually dishonest and everyone sees exactly what you're doing. Your "questions" are not asked in good faith, your statements are half-truths, and your assertions are bunk.

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IS authentic AND talented but a lil judgemental.

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FULL FROTH!

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where he said that.

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Doesn't negate anti-Semitism. Just like you can have a Black friend and still be a racist.

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My understanding is that the hate crime charge is a separate charge. (Like those situations where they charge a person for both assault and attempted murder, and the person is convicted of assault and acquitted of the murder attempt.) So he could be convicted for stabbing the guy even if the jury thinks he did it randomly, or because he wanted to steal the car. Or because of personal hatred, rather than any attempt to intimidate a large group.

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