Man assaults Sikh in US, convicted of hate crime

A 23-year-old American has been convicted by a jury for brutally assaulting an elderly Sikh man and instigating his friend to join him in the hate crime, saying “ISIS, let’s get him”.

Daniel Coronel Wilson targeted Amrik Singh Bal last December in Fresno area of Califormia because he believed the bearded victim, who wore a turban and robe when he was attacked, was a terrorist, prosecutor Timothy Donovan said.

Donovan told the jury that quite contrary to the perception, “68-year-old Bal was a hardworking, peaceful man whose sole goal was to provide for his family.” 

The jury of eight men and four women deliberated two hours before finding Wilson guilty of felony assault causing great bodily injury to Bal, who was punched in the face several times and then run over by a car driven by Alexis Mendoza. The jury also ruled the assault was a hate crime, The Fresno Bee reported.

After the verdict on Wednesday, Fresno defence attorney David Munoz asked Judge Jonathan Conklin to allow Wilson to remain free on $35,000 bail.