Brooklyn, NY – Jury Selection Begins For Trial Of Last Defendant In Williamsburg Beating

Brooklyn, NY – A trial for the fifth and final defendant in December 2013 beating of a black man in Williamsburg began today in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Mayer Herskovic could potentially face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty in the beating of Taj Paterson. As previously reported on VIN News (http://goo.gl/KTCTUi), Taj Paterson, an aspiring fashion designer was beaten by a group of men in Williamsburg as he walked on Flushing Avenue, blinding him permanently in one eye.

Charges against Aharon Hollender and Joseph Fried were eventually dropped and two other men, Pinchas Braver and Abraham Winkler, accepted a plea deal that required them to serve three years probation, pay $1,400 in restitution and perform 150 hours of community service in a “culturally diverse neighborhood.” Herskovic declined to accept the plea deal, preferring to face a trial by jury.

The New York Post reported that jury selection began today but proceedings were postponed until Thursday. Opening statements in the trail are slated to be heard by Judge Danny Chun on Monday.

None of the other men linked to the attack are expected to testify in Herskovic’s trial.