Suffolk man faces hate crime charges, accused of ramming car with 4 Muslim men in it
News 12 spoke with an 18-year-old, who didn’t want his name used, who said he was in the car with his brother, who was driving, and two uncles, when the defendant told them they “don’t belong here” and that he “wants to kill all of us.”
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A Suffolk County man is facing hate crime charges, accused of threatening four Muslim men in traditional dress and ramming the car they were in.
Brendan Marchetti, 35, is the defendant.
He lives near the Huntington mosque the men said they’d been heading to for prayer.
The alleged incident happened in June.
News 12 spoke with an 18-year-old, who didn’t want his name used, who said he was in the car with his brother, who was driving, and two uncles, when the defendant told them they “don’t belong here” and that he “wants to kill all of us.”
He said he was in shock and couldn’t believe it.
Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said: “Prosecuting hate crimes is essential to not only protect victims but to also uphold the values of tolerance and respect, especially for other people’s religions. It is unconscionable that my prosecutors cannot ask for bail on cases such as this due to ‘Bail Reform,’ especially where such violence is alleged.”
News 12 went to Marchetti’s home and a man at the house said they had no comment.
