Statement From Senator Golden On Arrest Of Senior Citizen Attacker

"I knew the N.Y.P.D. and the community would be diligent in bringing this coward to justice for attacking and robbing Brooklyn’s 85-year old Lillian France. Today, we have one less individual on the streets that target senior citizen victims for they believe them to be easier targets. What this man, now under arrest, probably failed to realize is that the new "Granny’s Law" will cause him to face more severe penalties because he chose to commit a crime against a senior citizen.

I introduced and sponsored "Granny's Law", which Governor Patterson signed into law in May, because New Yorkers have too often witnessed these horrific attacks on the news and we can't allow these criminals to prey on the elderly. A person capable of attacking the elderly is not simply a mugger- they are a dangerous menace to society who should be kept behind bars for as long as possible. This is the first opportunity that I am aware of for justice to be served based on this new law. I wish Lillian France a full recovery and return to good health."

Under the new law, if an assailant is 10 years younger than a victim, the bill will increase the penalty for assaulting a person 65 years or older from a class A misdemeanor to a second-degree assault- a class D violent felony that is punishable by up to seven years in prison.