James Vincent, 44, was sentenced yesterday (Monday) in the Brooklyn Supreme Court to 11 years in prison for strangulation and assault defined as “hate crimes” against a Chabad follower – Rabbi Menachem Moskowitz, whom he assaulted while walking home from a synagogue on Sabbath.
Vincent was convicted of attempted strangulation, assault and more, following a trial before a jury.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that according to the testimony, on April 21, 2018, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Rabbi Menachem Moskowitz, 52, walked home from the synagogue after Shabbat prayers. He passed the defendant near Rutland Road and 46 East Street in East Flatbush, when Vincent attacked him, shouting, “You Jews have taken my house and mortgage.”
Moskowitz kept going but Vincent ran to Moskowitz from behind, put his hands on his neck and applied pressure. He then hit Moskowitz on the head and body, wrapped his arms around Moskowitz’s head and applied pressure.
The saga ended thanks to two passers-by intervening. Even after that, the defendant continued to shout nicknames regarding Moskowitz’s religion, which suffered various head and body injuries.