By COLlive reporter
Members of a Crown Heights civilian patrol accused of assaulting Israeli bochurim will go on trial Wednesday.
The defendants, 6 volunteers of Shomrim, have reached out to the community to help cover their legal fees.
They allegedly assaulted residents in a dormitory at 749 Eastern Parkway while trying to put an end to a quarrel.
The trial is taking place at the New York State Supreme Court, 320 Jay Street, the second floor in the Ceremonial 1 court room, starting at 10:00am.
The trial will follow jury selection, in which the District Attorney will be presenting their case to the court in hopes of securing a conviction.
They are facing a possible seven year incarceration and a lawsuit of 150 million dollars.
“This is no longer politics,” says Aron Hershkop, a Shomrim coordinator and one of the defendants. “This is now a Pidyon Shvuim matter, and we need the community’s help.”
Hershkop asked the community to “actively take a stand for fellow Jews and give support to those who have been on-call 24/7 to serve others.”
In a statement to COLlive, Shomrim wrote: “Each of the six volunteers has a lawyer and the costs of going to trial are too great for them to be able to individually bear.
“Tens of thousands of dollars have already been spent.. we ask for the community we so generously help to return that kindness and help us cover our costs.”
Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky has publicly supported their cause in a letter denouncing the plaintiffs.
“Going to the civil court system is a heinous iniquity and a blatant contemptuous behavior against Torah,” he wrote.
Rabbi Bogomilsky added: “This is a bona-fide case of PIDYON SHEVUYIM which is one of the most prominent forms of tzedoko.”
Contributions can be mailed to Shomrim office at 537 East New York Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225.
Or you can call the Shomrim hotline (718) 774-3333 after 6:00pm and we will send a member to pick up your contribution.
if you knew what really happened….
Nechemia Shaul Yosef ben Miriam
Schneur Zalman ben Esther Leah
Binyomin ben Dvorah Tzirl
Schneur Gedalia ben Shterna Sara
Chaim Dov ben Shterna Sara
Yehuda Aryeh ben Shterna Sara
Of course some people will just read this story and think, “just another case”… Its not! Non of them are!
This isn’t normal
We must put an end to this senslessness!!!!
Stop the Mesira!
Stop the bloodhsed!
Stop it