Trial of Anti-Semitic Crown Heights Attacker Set To Begin Monday

by CrownHeights.info

In 2018, Rabbi Menachem Moscowitz was walking home on a Shabbos afternoon and was attacked and choked by an assailant in Crown Heights.

One week later, the attacker was identified as James Vincent, whose trial over the incident is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Monday October 18th.

Vincent, who had over 40 prior arrest before his attack on Moscowitz, is facing bias hate crimes and attempted murder charges.

The incident occurred as Moscowitz was walking on Rutland Road near Schenectady Avenue following Sabbath prayers at the synagogue in nearby Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, when he encountered his assailant whom he greeted by saying hello, or good afternoon.

The man immediately went berserk, shouting at Moskowitz “you stole all my money” and “you stole my mortgage and I need to kill you.” When Moscowitz attempting to walk away, the man chased him down, catching up to him nearly a block later and began beating and choking him.

“He put me in a choke-hold and I started to feel dizzy, I felt my air going out, I started saying Shema, I thought I was going to die,” Moskowitz told CrownHeights.info following the attack.

Moscowitz was taken by Hatzalah to nearby Kings County Hospital where he was treated for multiple bruises and a broken rib.

With COVID restrictions still in place, only a limited number of people will be allowed in the courtroom for the trial.