Statement by Senator Marty Golden on the Robbery and Assault of John and Linda Naimo

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden, (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member and former Chairman of the New York State Senate Aging Committee and the author of the New York State Law known as “Granny’s Law” today issued the following statement in response to reports of the assault and robbery of Staten Island’s Naimo family;

“It is tragedy that John, 81 and Linda, 75 were assaulted this past Sunday. It is less than two weeks since I made a statement on the assault and robbery of Brooklyn’s 81-year old Madeline Klima, and now, as a I did then, condemn this act of incivility and cowardice.

I remain confident that the New York City Police Department will make every effort to arrest these criminals. Further, I am confident that Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan will prosecute these offenders using Granny’s Law.

The increased penalties that those who prey on our elderly now face under this law will help to decrease the number of crimes committed against New York’s seniors. It is only right that our seniors are shown the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Granny’s Law (S. 6979 of 2008) was signed into law by then-Governor Paterson on May 2, 2008, which elevated the assault of a person sixty-five years of age or older, when the perpetrator is more than ten years younger than the victim to Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.