Verdict Reached In 2018 Anti-Semitic Strangling In Brooklyn: DA

BROOKLYN, NY — A verdict was reached this week in a brutal 2018 attack against a Jewish man walking home from Sabbath prayers at the synagogue, the district attorney announced.

James Vincent, 40, was convicted Wednesday of strangulation as a hate crime, assault and other charges for the unprovoked attack, which unfolded an April afternoon in East Flatbush, prosecutors said.

Vincent had yelled epithets while attacking the 52-year-old Jewish man, prosecutors said.

“Today’s verdict speaks to Brooklyn’s resolve to combatting and rooting out hate from our communities," District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "The defendant has been brought to justice for this senseless, disturbing and hateful crime against a man simply walking home from his synagogue. Brooklyn’s strength is in its diversity and I remain committed to vigorously prosecuting bias-motivated violence."

Vincent first walked up to the Jewish man near Rutland Road and East 46th Street around 1 p.m. the day of the attack, yelling “You #$%& Jew, you Jews took my house and mortgage" at him, according to prosecutors.

After the man walked away, Vincent ran up behind him and placed his hands on his neck. He then punched the man and put his arms around his head before two bystanders intervened, prosecutors said.

Vincent kept yelling about the victim's religion while the man picked up his yarmulke and kippah, prosectors said.

The man was left with several injuries to his head and body, according to prosecutors.

Wednesday's conviction comes more than three years after Vincent's arrest. He was caught by police a week after the attack when surveillance video showed him buying ice cream with a credit card in a nearby store, prosecutors said.

Vincent, who faces up to 15 years in prison, is scheduled to be sentenced in December, prosecutors said.