A New York man who admitted attacking a woman just because she was Asian received a 15-year sentence Wednesday.
The judge announced the decision shortly after the victim addressed the suspect Brandon Elliot, 41, in court.
“Mr. Elliot, you took my peace. Fear will always linger…I will pray for you, even though you may not change,” said Vilma Kari, 65, reported CBS New York.
At the time of the beating, prosecutors said Elliot blurted out to Kari ” “You don’t belong here,” before kicking and stomping on her. She had been on her way to church at the time.
The defendant’s attorney said Elliot had expressed remorse for what he did.
“Mr. Elliot has long suffered from serious and well-documented mental health diagnoses, which was a contributing factor but by no means a blanket excuse,” Niskanen-Singer said in the statement to NBC News. “He has accepted responsibility for his actions and sought to spare Ms. Kari of having to relive the ordeal at a trial.”
The beating took place more than three years ago and her daughter says her mother is still recovering from the ordeal.
“It took over a year and a half for her to walk down the street by herself.” daughter Elizabeth Kari said to W42ndSt. “She has an instilled sense of fear. Physically, she’s healed. Mentally, the journey continues. When she leaves the residence, she doesn’t spend time unaccompanied outside.”
After the hearing, her mother spoke with reporters with a message for other hate crime victims.
“For those who were impacted by a crime like mine, a hate crime, I want to say: just wait, there’s justice. Don’t lose hope. I hope to see justice served before any victim is paroled, especially for those who have mental health issues. They should truly be given the opportunity to heal while in prison, receiving whatever tests, medicines, and rehabilitation they need. That’s what I would suggest our legislators do something about,” Kari said to GMA News.
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