SUNY Binghamton Wrestler Pleads Guilty to Attempted Assault
June 8, 2000
API advocates want the Justice Department to investigate
By Heather Harlan
Two white State University of New York (SUNY), Binghamton students pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an alleged bias attack against a group of Asian American students at the school. One of the Asian students suffered a skull fracture, cerebral hemorrhaging and a concussion from the Feb. 27 incident. Three others sustained less serious injuries.
Nicholas Richetti pleaded guilty to attempted assault charges on June 1 in Broome County court, He was sentenced to eight consecutive weekends in prison and five years probation. Richetti also agreed to make full restitution to the victims. During the court proceeding, he admitted to throwing the first punch during the attack.
Christopher Taylor pleaded guilty May 18 to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and a $250 fine. As part of his plea agreement, the charges were reduced from second-degree gang assault.
Chad Scott is expected to be arraigned later this month after a grand jury indicted him on misdemeanor charges after rejecting charges of third-degree assault. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of one year. Scott is currently free on bail after his initial arrest.
The three alleged attackers, who are all white and members of the school’s wrestling team, are accused of beating and kicking the four Asian American students outside of a dormitory while yelling racial slurs. Three of the alleged victims were Korean American, and one was Chinese American.
ºfter school disciplinary proceedings that were held in April, Richetti was expelled from the university. Scott was suspended for two years, and Taylor was allowed to remain in school.
Last month, the university administration ordered all members of the wrestling team to participate in programs on diversity, conflict resolution and alcohol awareness. The three alleged attackers were reportedly drunk during the incident, according to school officials.
A lawyer representing the Asian American students said she was disappointed with the outcomes of the criminal proceedings.
“Justice has not been served and we are seeking a federal investigation into the attack,” said Sin Yen Ling, an attorney with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). Ling urged members of the community to write to Acting Assistant Attorney Bill Lann Lee in support of a federal civil rights investigation.
At a press conference held at AALDEF’s New York office, John E. Lee, the most seriously injured of the Asian American students spoke out publicly for the first time about the night he was assaulted. “My friends and I were singled out and attacked because of the color of our skin,” he said. “I constantly wonder what would have happened if my three friends were not there to defend me. Would my attackers have just left me there? Would I have suffered permanent head injuries? Or the scariest question was, would I have died? I am not sure what the answers are, but what I do know is that had I been white, this would not have happened to me.”
Lee said he continues to suffer from his injuries and must take daily doses of medication and visit a doctor once a week, while continuing to attend classes.
In statements distributed at the AALDEF press conference, Asian American advocacy groups voiced support for Lee and the other Asian American students.
“The outcome so far of this case once again sends a strong current out to our community that individuals who commit racially motivated crimes are getting away with a slap on the wrist,” said George M. Ong, National President of the Organization of Chinese Americans, in a press release. “OCA urges the federal government to continue prosecuting this case until justice is achieved.”
Some called for stronger hate crime legislation. New York state does not currently have a hate crimes law in the books.
“How many more of our brothers and sisters must be killed or beaten before the government recognizes that hate can be the primary motivation for a crime?” said Remina Vinluan, co-chair of the New York chapter of Filipino Civil Rights Advocates (FiLCRA), in a written statement.
Already, a coalition including OCA, FilCRA, Asian Law Caucus and National Asian Pacific American Legal Organization have pledged to launch a letter-writing campaign and circulate petitions urging a federal investigation, said Ling. The FBI has already conducted a preliminary investigation. The results, which will not be released to the public, will be handed to the Justice Department. “Then it’s up to the Justice Department to pursue it or not,” said Ling.
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