YONKERS MAN CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTED ARSON AT A RIVERDALE SYNAGOGUE AS A HATE CRIME

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 23 year old Yonkers man has been convicted of attempted arson and other offenses in connection with an attack on a synagogue in Riverdale.

A jury found Mazin Assi, of 2 Landscape Place, Yonkers, guilty of Attempted Arson in the 3rd degree as a hate crime, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree as a hate crime, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree and Aggravated Harassment in the 1st degree. Assi was convicted after a day of deliberations following a three month trial.

State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett set sentencing for January 22, 2003 in Part M-60. Assi, the first defendant to be charged under the state’s Hate Crime Statute, is facing a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment on the attempted arson charge and a maximum term of up to seven years imprisonment on the weapon possession charge. Assi could be imprisoned for up to 22 years if the judge imposes consecutive terms. Attempted Arson in the 3rd degree ordinarily carries a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment. However, as a hate crime, the maximum sentence is 15 years imprisonment.

District Attorney Johnson said: "This case concerns more than an assault on the Congregation of Adath Israel of Riverdale on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year. This case was vigorously prosecuted for the protection of Jews, Arabs, and all citizens of Bronx County. No one should have his or her personal safety or property jeopardized because of their race, religion, gender, ancestry or sexual orientation."

The crimes of which Assi was convicted occurred on October 8, 2000 when he attempted to intentionally set fire to the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale by throwing one incendiary device at the building and placing a second incendiary device at the main entrance of the building causing damage to the front door.

Assi was charged with "acting in concert" with a second defendant, Mohammed Alfaqih, 20, also of Yonkers. A second jury is continuing deliberations regarding Alfaqih’s alleged role in the incident.

Assi and Alfaqih were the first defendants to be charged under the Hate Crimes Statute. The attack on the synagogue occurred only hours after the new law went into effect at 12:01 A.M. on October 8, 2000.

Senior Trial Assistant Jeffrey Glucksman of the Investigations Division is prosecuting the case against defendant Assi. The case against Alfaqih is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Cooper, Chief of the Bias Crimes Unit and Trial Bureau A34.