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Christopher Orlando also will serve 5 years’ probation
By Melissa Grace / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Jefferson Siegel for New York Daily News
Christopher Orlando of Staten Island, who was sentenced Tuesday in attack at famed Manhattan gay bar.
A Staten Island teen was sentenced to 60 days in jail Tuesday for his part in pummeling a patron at a legendary West Village gay bar.Christopher Orlando, 18, who also faces five years probation, had pleaded guilty to felony assault as a hate crime and attempted robbery charges for demanding cash in the Oct. 3, 2010, assault on Benjamin Carver at the Stonewall Inn.
The Christopher St. watering hole is known as the birthplace of the gay-rights movement.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Bonnie Wittner granted Orlando, 18, youthful offender status, meaning his record will be sealed if he stays out of trouble.
"He was the minor participant," Orlando's defense lawyer, John Rapawy, said of the comparatively light sentence.
Orlando's pal, Matthew Francis, also of Staten Island, was sent to prison for two years for his role in the attack.
The judge overruled a recommendation by prosecutors that Orlando spend six months behind bars.
The two were busted after the men's room attack on Carver which came after Francis asked the victim about the bar, officials said.
"Get away from me, f-----," Francis yelled when Carver told him it was a gay bar. "I don't like gay people."
Francis then hit Carver, 35, in the face as Orlando held the victim down, prosecutors said.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Bonnie Wittner granted Orlando, 18, youthful offender status, meaning his record will be sealed if he stays out of trouble.
"He was the minor participant," Orlando's defense lawyer, John Rapawy, said of the comparatively light sentence.
Orlando's pal, Matthew Francis, also of Staten Island, was sent to prison for two years for his role in the attack.
The judge overruled a recommendation by prosecutors that Orlando spend six months behind bars.
The two were busted after the men's room attack on Carver which came after Francis asked the victim about the bar, officials said.
"Get away from me, f-----," Francis yelled when Carver told him it was a gay bar. "I don't like gay people."
Francis then hit Carver, 35, in the face as Orlando held the victim down, prosecutors said.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/staten-island-teen-60-days-jail-role-gay-bashing-stonewall-inn-article-1.1000402#ixzz1iVAlgyVo
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