Sabtu, 24 Desember 2011

Homeless N.J. man beaten in YouTube video, out of hospital

Ivins, 50, has been provided with money, food, clothes and a hotel room for the holidays since news broke Monday about his attack, which police said was recorded by his assailants in a wooded section of Wall, N.J. Police said they received reports about the beating on Sunday.
Ivins was taken to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center after he suffered a seizure at the Belmar Police Department when he stopped by to pick up a bicycle that was donated to him Wednesday night, said Mayor Matt Doherty.
Information on his physical condition was not available, although Ivins did indicate Wednesday in an interview that he was going to quit drinking.
News of Ivins' beating prompted offers of help from around the country, and a proposal for legislation providing for more severe punishment for videotaping and distributing the recording of an assault.
Ivins was attacked on two occasions in the woods in Wall, on Dec. 11 and 12, Wall police have said. Police have charged two people in connection with the attacks, Taylor C. Giresi, 20, and a 17-year-old who has not been identified because of his age. Police said the suspects videotaped and then posted the attacks on YouTube.
Giresi was is being held in the Monmouth County jail inFreehold Township in lieu of $135,000 full-cash bail while the juvenile has been released to a parent, police said.
"They came running from out of nowhere," Ivins said of his assailants. "I've seen them before. They've thrown rocks and bottles at me before on the train tracks."
Ivins said the two eventually left his bicycle that was seen being stolen in the YouTube video, and it is back in his possession.
"I was, as many people in Belmar were, disgusted and sickened that one of our residents would attack a defenseless person like that," Doherty said.
Ivins is not sure he will go after Jan. 3. He said he has family -- his mother lives in Jamesburg, N.J., and he has two brothers and a sister -- but was not certain that they would take him in. His father passed away in Gainesville, Fla.
The beating caught the attention of New Jersey legislators, who legislation to increase penalties and mandate jail time for videotaping and distributing the recording of an assault.
"It is absolutely appalling that two young men found it amusing to stalk and attack a homeless man," said one of the bill's co-sponsors Mary Pat Angelini in a prepared release. "The fact that the young men posted the attack on the Internet as if it was entertainment is frightening and we must send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated in our state."
Under their proposed legislation, videotaping and distributing the recording of an assault will result in an automatic second-degree aggravated assault charge. A person convicted of second-degree aggravated assault is subject to five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

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