Attorneys for two Jewish brothers accused of beating a black teen-ager while patrolling their Northwest Baltimore neighborhood argued Monday that their trial should be postponed until passions lessen in a Florida case that’s drawn national attention and media comparisons between the two incidents.
“We believe a delay until the [George] Zimmerman matter settles down would be in the best interests of justice,” defense attorney Andrew Alperstein said on behalf of Eliyahu and Avi Werdesheim, who are charged with assault and false imprisonment for allegedly attacking a 15-year-old boy in November 2010.
“You don’t belong around here,” one of the brothers allegedly said, according to police charging documents, while the other threw the boy to the ground, breaking his wrist. Elder brother Eliyahu, 24, was a member of the Orthodox Jewish citizens watch group known as Shomrim at the time. Avi, 21, was never a member, neighborhood representatives have said.
Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Sylvester B. Cox did not rule on the request, instead ordering the brothers to return Tuesday morning, ready for trial before another judge. The motion will likely be argued fully then.
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