Current:Home > MyMan convicted of hate crimes for attacking Muslim man in New York City-InfoLens
Man convicted of hate crimes for attacking Muslim man in New York City
View Date:2024-12-23 11:50:57
A New Jersey resident was convicted of hate crimes after he attacked a Muslim man with a knife near a New York City food cart while saying slurs, prosecutors announced Thursday.
“A Manhattan jury held Gino Sozio accountable for attacking a Muslim-American man in a vicious act of hate,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Instead of walking away from a dispute, Sozio went on an appalling racist and anti-Muslim tirade and took out a knife, seriously injuring the victim who is still in pain to this day. I thank the victim and the eyewitnesses for bravely coming forward and taking the stand, and our talented prosecutors who fought for justice in this case.”
Gino Sozio, 40, of Morganville, New Jersey, swung a knife at a group of Muslims near a halal food cart in Midtown while making Islamophobic comments, prosecutors said, slashing one man in the torso. A New York Supreme Court jury found Sozio guilty of first-degree attempted assault and second-degree assault, both as hate crimes, as well as third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He will be sentenced on May 3.
The conviction comes as civil rights leaders decry a record-high level of Islamophobic hate incidents in the United States.
Overall, hate crimes reported across 25 American cities increased last year by an average of 17% from 2022, according to a study from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University.
Man said slurs as he slashed victim
The 22-year-old victim had traveled with friends to Midtown from New Jersey and ordered food at a street cart, prosecutors said. At around 2 a.m. on December 31, 2022, as they were waiting for their order, one of the victim's friends told Sozio he may have dropped something. In response, Sozio approached the group and began making xenophobic comments that stated in substance, “This is my country. Go back to your country.”
As Sozio continued to make remarks, one person in the group took out his phone to record the incident, according to prosecutors. Sozio slapped the man’s phone out of his hand, and the man responded by punching him. Sozio then pulled out a knife from his pocket and swung it toward the group, eventually slashing one person’s torso, causing a large wound which required stitches and surgery, the district attorney's office said. Throughout the assault, Sozio continued to pass slurs.
A few minutes later, New York City police officers arrested Sozio and took his knife as he continued to make racial comments and slurs.
“No one should have their life put in danger simply because of their faith,” said Afaf Nasher, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations New York chapter. “We welcome the conviction of the perpetrator of this disturbing crime and urge law enforcement to crack down on the rising tide of anti-Muslim incidents.”
The district attorney's office did not provide the name of the victim.
The conviction comes days after CAIR released a report that showed the civil rights group had received a record-high number of complaints in its 30-year history. CAIR said it documented 8,061 complaints in 2023, nearly half of which were received in the final three months of the year.
veryGood! (27)
Related
- Fire crews gain greater control over destructive Southern California wildfire
- 4 crew members on Australian army helicopter that crashed off coast didn’t survive, officials say
- Kim Pegula visits Bills training camp, her first public appearance since cardiac arrest
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: This $360 Backpack Is on Sale for $89 and It Comes in 6 Colors
- Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin to kick off fundraising effort for Ohio women’s suffrage monument
- President acknowledges Hunter Biden's 4-year-old daughter as his granddaughter, and Republicans take jabs
- Florida woman partially bites other woman's ear off after fight breaks out at house party, officials say
- Cougar attacks 8-year-old, leading to closures in Washington’s Olympic National Park
- Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
- Idaho mom Lori Vallow Daybell faces sentencing in deaths of 2 children and her romantic rival
Ranking
- Trading wands for whisks, new Harry Potter cooking show brings mess and magic
- Police investigate killings of 2 people after gunfire erupts in Lewiston
- Deal Alert: Save Up to 86% On Designer Jewelry & Belts Right Now
- Group: DeSantis win in Disney lawsuit could embolden actions against journalists
- See Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Winning NFL Outing With Kids Zuma and Apollo
- South Korean dog meat farmers push back against growing moves to outlaw their industry
- NASA reports unplanned 'communications pause' with historic Voyager 2 probe carrying 'golden record'
- Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says GOP talk of potential Trump pardon is inappropriate
Recommendation
-
High-scoring night in NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo explodes for 59, Victor Wembanyama for 50
-
Girl, 6, is latest child to die or be injured from boating accidents this summer across US
-
Pee-Wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Dead at 70 After Private Cancer Battle
-
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies from cancer at 70
-
Pete Alonso's best free agent fits: Will Mets bring back Polar Bear?
-
8 dogs died from extreme heat in the Midwest during unairconditioned drive
-
'Big Brother' 2023 premiere: What to know about Season 25 house, start time, where to watch
-
San Francisco investigates Twitter's 'X' sign. Musk responds with a laughing emoji
Like
- OneTaste Founder Nicole Daedone Speaks Out on Sex Cult Allegations Against Orgasmic Meditation Company
- Churchill Downs to improve track maintenance, veterinary resources for fall meet after horse deaths
- San Francisco prosecutors to lay out murder case against consultant in death of Cash App’s Bob Lee