Senator Fuschillo: Legislation To Impose Stiffer Penalties For Attacks On Elderly New Yorkers Passes State Senate
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced that the New York State Senate approved legislation (S.3684) today to impose tougher penalties for physical assaults on senior citizens. Senator Fuschillo is a co-sponsor of the legislation which was introduced earlier this month following the vicious attacks on Rose Morat, a 101-year-old Queens woman who was mugged on her way to church, and 85-year-old Solange Elizee, who was mugged and beaten just a half hour later by the same attacker.
While the assailant in these two cases could face robbery charges, under current law he would only face a misdemeanor charge for his physical attacks on the two elderly women. In addition, under current law, the penalties for the physical attack on the 101-year-old woman are the same penalties that would exist if the victim had been a 25-year-old football player.
Senator Fuschillo (R-Merrick) said, "It’s hard to believe that someone would target defenseless senior citizens to commit such brutal crimes. These senseless attacks have sickened and saddened New Yorkers throughout our state. This legislation will help protect elderly New Yorkers by deterring would-be attackers and make our seniors feel safer in their communities."
Senator Fuschillo is a member of the Senate Task Force on Critical Choices. Following the attacks on March 5th, the Task Force began to review the current laws governing physical attacks against the elderly. This review highlighted the fact that under existing law, these types of physical attacks on seniors are only class A misdemeanor offenses, carrying a potential penalty of up to one year in prison. In both of the muggings in Queens, the attacker could also face additional charges associated with the theft of property.
The legislation passed today would make it a class D or class E violent felony to assault any senior over the age of 70. The bill would also make it a class D or class E violent felony to assault someone age 60 or older who suffers from a disease or infirmity associated with advanced age. A class D violent felony conviction carries a potential penalty of up to 7 years in prison, while a class E felony conviction carries a potential penalty of up to 4 years in prison. As violent felony offenses, these crimes carry determinate sentences and the perpetrators will not be eligible for parole.
AARP has expressed support for the legislation.
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