By Emily Shearing, *Teens accused of harassing worshippers at mosque offered plea deals* - Democrat AND Chronicle - NY, USA; Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Five Holley teens accused of harassing worshippers at an Orleans County mosque in August were offered plea deals after appearing in court Monday night.
Authorities allege the teens drove past the World Sufi Foundation Mosque in Carlton, firing a gun, shouting obscenities and beeping the horn. One worshipper was allegedly struck by the vehicle at the mosque.
Jeff Donahue, Anthony Ogden and Dylan Phillips, all 18; and Mark Vendetti and Tim Weader, both 17, were charged with harassment and disrupting a religious service, a misdemeanor. Vendetti was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a felony.
“This is not something that we feel that can be tolerated out here,” said Joseph Cardone, Orleans County district attorney.
“Having said that, I don’t believe from what involvement I’ve had in the case, that anyone believes there’s any organized anti-Muslim effort out here, and that these were young people who used extremely bad judgment. This is a case we’re taking very seriously … and one I’d like the community to know about.”
Cardone said that because all five are under the age of 19, they are qualified as youth offenders, and subsequently most of the details from the proceedings were closed. Cardone said he does not expect the case to go to trial.
The teens are scheduled to appear in court in early April for a final determination.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Not Tolerated
Five Holley teens accused of harassing worshippers at an Orleans County mosque in August were offered plea deals after appearing in court Monday night.
Authorities allege the teens drove past the World Sufi Foundation Mosque in Carlton, firing a gun, shouting obscenities and beeping the horn. One worshipper was allegedly struck by the vehicle at the mosque.
Jeff Donahue, Anthony Ogden and Dylan Phillips, all 18; and Mark Vendetti and Tim Weader, both 17, were charged with harassment and disrupting a religious service, a misdemeanor. Vendetti was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a felony.
“This is not something that we feel that can be tolerated out here,” said Joseph Cardone, Orleans County district attorney.
“Having said that, I don’t believe from what involvement I’ve had in the case, that anyone believes there’s any organized anti-Muslim effort out here, and that these were young people who used extremely bad judgment. This is a case we’re taking very seriously … and one I’d like the community to know about.”
Cardone said that because all five are under the age of 19, they are qualified as youth offenders, and subsequently most of the details from the proceedings were closed. Cardone said he does not expect the case to go to trial.
The teens are scheduled to appear in court in early April for a final determination.
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By Emily Shearing, *Teens accused of harassing worshippers at mosque offered plea deals* - Democrat AND Chronicle - NY, USA; Tuesday, March 8, 2011Five Holley teens accused of harassing worshippers at an Orleans County mosque in August were offered plea deals after appearing in court Monday night.
Authorities allege the teens drove past the World Sufi Foundation Mosque in Carlton, firing a gun, shouting obscenities and beeping the horn. One worshipper was allegedly struck by the vehicle at the mosque.
Jeff Donahue, Anthony Ogden and Dylan Phillips, all 18; and Mark Vendetti and Tim Weader, both 17, were charged with harassment and disrupting a religious service, a misdemeanor. Vendetti was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a felony.
“This is not something that we feel that can be tolerated out here,” said Joseph Cardone, Orleans County district attorney.
“Having said that, I don’t believe from what involvement I’ve had in the case, that anyone believes there’s any organized anti-Muslim effort out here, and that these were young people who used extremely bad judgment. This is a case we’re taking very seriously … and one I’d like the community to know about.”
Cardone said that because all five are under the age of 19, they are qualified as youth offenders, and subsequently most of the details from the proceedings were closed. Cardone said he does not expect the case to go to trial.
The teens are scheduled to appear in court in early April for a final determination.
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