Teenager Cleared in Alleged Bias-Crime Beating of Pakistani Man in Brooklyn

Teenager cleared in alleged bias-crime beating of Pakistani man in Brooklyn

(AP) - NEW YORK, July 2007- A judge cleared one of five Jewish teenagers charged in what authorities have called a hate-crime beating of a Pakistani man in New York.

Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Sheryl Parker ruled that evidence presented to a grand jury was "insufficient" to prove that Shulomi Bitton was involved in the attack in fall of 2006.

Bitton's lawyer, Ronald Aiello, said his client, who is studying in Israel, was elated when his father called with the news.

Four other teens still face assault and other charges in the beating of Shahid Amber, 24. Amber said a group of youths wearing yarmulkes attacked him while he was eating ice cream outside a Dunkin' Donuts store on Oct. 29. 2006, calling him a "terrorist" and other disparaging and profane terms. He suffered a broken nose, two black eyes and other injuries.