This is not funny

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

This is really not funny. The victim could have been seriously injured.

Student's turban is set afire at school
Sikh junior's hair singed and senior, 18, is charged
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
BY JEFF DIAMANT
Star-Ledger Staff
A routine fire drill at Hightstown High School in Mercer County turned terrifying for one student.

As students gathered outside on school grounds one morning last week, someone came up behind a 16-year-old junior, a member of the Sikh faith, and allegedly set the boy's turban on fire.

His hair was singed in several places, but he was otherwise unhurt, according to his uncle, Harjot Pannu.

"He felt like a bee stung him, and he patted on it," said Pannu. "Next thing he knew, a teacher came over and told him he was on fire."

An 18-year-old Hightstown senior, Garrett Green, was arrested hours later and charged with arson and criminal mischief, said Ben Miller, an investigator with the Hightstown Police Department.

"I was very angry and very upset and very mad initially, I could not even think straight," said the victim's mother, Sukjhot Kaur, who asked that her son's name not be printed. "The fact that something like this could have happened is beyond comprehension, especially in this day and age with the diversity we have and the way we are taught ... There should never be any fear of violence."

More than a quarter-million Sikhs live in the United States, according to an attorney with the Sikh Coalition in New York, Harsimran Kaur (no relation to Sukjhot). Since 9/11, there have been at least 600 reported bias incidents against Sikhs in this country, he said, including one homicide in Arizona.

New Jersey is home to one of the five largest populations of Sikhs in the nation, with somewhere between 25,000 and 30,000 residing here, according to Kaur.

"Sikhs are visibly identifiable as being different because most Sikh men wear a turban," said the coalition's lawyer, Kaur. "The only association that the general public sees with turbans is Osama bin Laden, or Middle East terrorists. Sikhs have nothing to do with terrorism. Our turban is an article of faith that's religiously mandated."

Sukjhot Kaur, whose husband died of cancer 10 years ago, works for the Postal Service and she and her son live with her brother, Harjot Pannu, in East Windsor.

"I spoke to the cop who went out there and the cop told me the teacher didn't take it seriously," said Pannu. "She thought it was a prank. To me it is not a prank. It is life-threatening."

Ronald Bolandi, superintendent of East Windsor schools, did not return calls.

"The sad thing is that kids in school are not protected," said Harsimran Kaur. "Kids in school are subject to the same types of bias we see in the community at large. In New Jersey, there have been several incidents that have been quite bad."

In September 2006, Lucille Davy, then-acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, issued a memorandum to all school administrators and principals regarding bullying and harassment of ethnic groups.

"It has come to my attention that in recent years our nation's Sikh-American community has suffered numerous incidents of violence and discrimination," she wrote. "Unfortunately, too many mistakenly associate the Sikh articles of faith, in particular the turban, with terrorism. These acts of discrimination impact Sikh students in New Jersey's public schools."

Davy cited incidents of taunting, and two assaults on middle school students. One student's parents withdrew their son from the school, she wrote, and sent him back to his native England to complete his education.

Sukjhot Kaur's son, however, returned to Hightstown High School the following day.

"He's doing better," she said yesterday. "He's coming to terms with it."

I would have charged him with Agg. Assault as well.

[MalahatTwo7]

No kidding. That was NOT funny ha ha or even smiley funny. I have a thought as to how much "discipline" will be metted out, but will refrain because I'm pretty sure it will be light at best. Also think that the school staff need some diversification education and a good lecture on school yard bullies. There are a couple of other suggested courses too, but they escape me at the moment.

[CanadianFyrTrks]

Never have I ever heard of something so disgusting in my life, this is a cheap ridiculous joke.... I hope attempted murder charges are applied in this case!

This is not funny, I really hope discipline is handed down!

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Never have I ever heard of something so disgusting in my life, this is a cheap ridiculous joke.... I hope attempted murder charges are applied in this case!

This is not funny, I really hope discipline is handed down!

Under NJ law, there is no way you could prove a case for Criminal Attempt Murder. Aggravated Assault would be the appropriate charge.

[johnny46]

Never have I ever heard of something so disgusting in my life,

You must live in a very beautiful world, then.

It was a ****ty thing to do and the boy needs his *** whupped and then some, but Attempted murder charges? Juvie time, public service and public apology plus a meeting with a Sikh to explain the religion, but attempted murder? Was he trying to kill the kid?

Which brings up another question: Why should you suffer less consequences for attempted murder? It makes no sense. If the crime is attempted but failed, the penalty should be the same as for the succesful criminal. Incompetence on the part of the criminal or toughness on the part of the victim has nothing to do with the intent of the criminal. A guy who fails to kill his victim is not really less of a problem for society than a guy who kills his victim.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

the crime is attempted but failed, the penalty should be the same as for the succesful criminal.

In NJ, it is.

[FF2426]

They could easily tag on agg Batt they also might be able to get the little F**KER with a hate crime as well. (IL Law not sure anywhere else)

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

They could easily tag on agg Batt they also might be able to get the little F**KER with a hate crime as well. (IL Law not sure anywhere else)

Hate crimes are liberal, fuzzy, feel good nonsense. Don't you suppose that ALL crimes of violence are hate crimes?

[cozmosis]

Hate crimes are liberal, fuzzy, feel good nonsense. Don't you suppose that ALL crimes of violence are hate crimes?

I agree. You certainly don't hear of a lot of love crimes... I loved him so much, he had to die!

[RDL210]

Under NJ law, there is no way you could prove a case for Criminal Attempt Murder. Aggravated Assault would be the appropriate charge.

Same in Canada...

I agree with George, in an attempted murder charge, how could you prove intent?

What's legal age in that state? In Canada, he would be charged as an adult and in Qc he could also vote for our next gov...

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Same in Canada...

I agree with George, in an attempted murder charge, how could you prove intent?

What's legal age in that state? In Canada, he would be charged as an adult and in Qc he could also vote for our next gov...

He's 18. He's in the major league, now.

[FF2426]

Hate crimes are liberal, fuzzy, feel good nonsense. Don't you suppose that ALL crimes of violence are hate crimes?

Yes, I know it is a liberal Bullhockey charge but sometimes it gets the job done in getting tougher punishments handed out.

If I remember correctly from my one of my CJ classes last year it can be charged in acts of violence or vandalism against a person or property whether it be based on race, religous views or (cant remember the PC word) Sexual Prefrence (there are a few more that go with it but I can't remember them).

This act that the 18 year old committed could constitute a hate crime charge.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Yes, I know it is a liberal Bullhockey charge but sometimes it gets the job done in getting tougher punishments handed out.

If I remember correctly from my one of my CJ classes last year it can be charged in acts of violence or vandalism against a person or property whether it be based on race, religous views or (cant remember the PC word) Sexual Prefrence (there are a few more that go with it but I can't remember them).

This act that the 18 year old committed could constitute a hate crime charge.

Several years ago, the President was taking heat because of a murder case in TX that the Dems thought should have been charged as a hate crime. The penalty he received for the murder was death. But somehow they were being insensitive because they did not charge a hate crime. Go figure.

[CanadianFyrTrks]

You must live in a very beautiful world, then.

It was a ****ty thing to do and the boy needs his *** whupped and then some, but Attempted murder charges? Juvie time, public service and public apology plus a meeting with a Sikh to explain the religion, but attempted murder? Was he trying to kill the kid?

Which brings up another question: Why should you suffer less consequences for attempted murder? It makes no sense. If the crime is attempted but failed, the penalty should be the same as for the succesful criminal. Incompetence on the part of the criminal or toughness on the part of the victim has nothing to do with the intent of the criminal. A guy who fails to kill his victim is not really less of a problem for society than a guy who kills his victim.

Well, it really isn't the worst thing I have ever seen. However, it seemed appropriate at the moment, I do live in a beautiful world, it's multicultural!

Regardless of where you live this is really sick! You made a real quality point a criminal is a criminal.... to sum that up.

[FF2426]

Several years ago, the President was taking heat because of a murder case in TX that the Dems thought should have been charged as a hate crime. The penalty he received for the murder was death. But somehow they were being insensitive because they did not charge a hate crime. Go figure.

Thats a democrat for you though......... I had an instructor a few years ago tell me that the only use that the charge of hate crime has is to stiffen the sentence for someone who otherwise could of got away with misdemeanor punishment. He said that years ago when he was a police chief of a small town there was a big problem with some local hoodlums spray painting buildings. It wasn't gang related or anything like that, just dumb kids who though it was cool. They were caught a few times but only would get a slap on the wrist. One night though he caught them spray painting "Jesus Sucks" on the back of a church. Well he talked to the district attorney who had just been elected about all the times that these kids had been caught before and how they keep getting let go. The DA went and charged them with the hate crime and all but one of the boys did 9 months in jail plus probabtion.

[SLC2324]

They could easily tag on agg Batt they also might be able to get the little F**KER with a hate crime as well. (IL Law not sure anywhere else)

you cant charge him with agg. batt. because he didnt deprive the kid of a member of his body

[jonnyirons2]

I think that would be 2nd assault here in NY, assault with a dangerous weapon (fire) . Which would be like I dont know 12-20 YEARS, its also a hate crime and you dont want THAT attached to your charges!

[hwoods]

Several years ago, the President was taking heat because of a murder case in TX that the Dems thought should have been charged as a hate crime. The penalty he received for the murder was death. But somehow they were being insensitive because they did not charge a hate crime. Go figure.

Was this the one where some yahoos dragged a guy behind a pickup??

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Was this the one where some yahoos dragged a guy behind a pickup??

Yeah, I think so. Death penalty seemed kind of appropriate.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Seems like it might be an epidemic here.

Ocean Twp man admits setting N.Y. teen on fire during party
by George Berkin/The Star-Ledger
Tuesday May 13, 2008, 6:20 PM
A 21-year-old Ocean Township man accused of setting another man on fire during a party in Allenhurst two years ago pleaded guilty today to second-degree aggravated assault, authorities said.

Nicholas Winter entered the plea before a Superior Court judge in Monmouth County as part of a plea agreement, Prosecutor Luis Valentin said.

As a result of the plea, the county prosecutor's office will recommend Winter be sentenced July 11 to three years in state prison, Valentin said. He will be required to serve 85 percent of that term.

Winter has remained free on $270,000 bail.

The plea stems from a June 9, 2006, incident on Corlies Avenue in Allenhurst, Valentin said. According to the prosecutor, Winter poured half the contents of a 750 mL bottle of grain alcohol onto the victim. He then struck a cigarette lighter at close range, causing the alcohol to ignite, Valentin added. The motive for the attack was not disclosed.

The victim, a 19-year-old man from Hauppauge, N.Y., was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune before being transferred to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. His name was withheld because he is the victim of a crime.

The victim was treated for second-degree burns to his neck and upper left shoulder, Valentin said. The burns caused extensive scarring.