Jarris Jay Silagi Allegedly Attacks Jewish Couple on Way to Synagogue: ‘Give me your earrings, Jew’
George Gascón (Jesse Grant/Getty Images), Beverly Hills Synagogue (Facebook)
The Los Angeles man accused of attacking an elderly Jewish couple on their way to synagogue was arrested and released on cashless bail just hours before the anti-Semitic hate crime occurred, the Washington Free Beacon has learned.
Beverly Hills police on the morning of Dec. 9 arrested Jarris Jay Silagi after the 44-year-old man allegedly attacked the couple on their way to a Shabbat service, shouting, “Give me your earrings, Jew,” while beating the victim with a belt. But Silagi’s arrest was not his only encounter with police that day. Silagi was also arrested for petty theft roughly four hours before the attack, both the Beverly Hills Police Department and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed. Silagi’s arrest record, obtained by the Free Beacon, shows Silagi was released on cashless bail and given a citation.
“On December 9th 2023, at approximately 4:54 am, Mr. Silagi was arrested for petty theft,” a Beverly Hills Police Department spokesman told the Free Beacon. “After he was released from BHPD custody, he was arrested approximately 4 hours later for the crime from the December 10th press release.”
The revelation comes just two months after a controversial zero-bail policy went into effect in Los Angeles County. Under the policy, those arrested for misdemeanors and many felonies cannot be held on cash bail and are instead quickly released from custody as they await trial.
County prosecutor George Gascón (D.), who has received millions in campaign contributions from liberal billionaire George Soros, campaigned on the policy and announced an end to cash bail on his first day in office in 2020, calling the practice “unjust” and ”unsafe.” While Gascón last year walked back his cashless bail approach, a Los Angeles judge in May reinstated the policy, ruling that a ”wealth-based detention system” is unconstitutional. That decision went into effect in October.
The victim in the attack, a 75-year-old Jewish man named Raphy, ”sustained a laceration on his head after being struck with a belt,” police said. Raphy and his wife Rebecca were walking to Beverly Hills Synagogue when a man, allegedly Silagi, approached them from behind and screamed, “Give me your earrings, Jew.” Raphy wore a yarmulke during the attack, meaning he would have been “clearly recognizable as Jewish,” according to the synagogue’s rabbi, Pini Dunner.
“At first, it was a shock. There was a huge hard knock on my forehead,” Raphy recounted in an interview with NBC News. “I was really enraged, not because of the [injury] but because I was hit as a Jew.” Raphy and his wife chased after the attacker, prompting the attention of Beverly Hills police officers, who apprehended Silagi.
Silagi was charged with one count of attempted second-degree robbery, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. Those charges also come with hate crime enhancements, which would lead to a longer sentence if Silagi is convicted. Silagi has a long rap sheet that goes back more than a decade and includes convictions for attempted robbery, battery, and disorderly conduct.
Gascón’s office is recommending that Silagi be held on a $1.3 million bail, it announced in a Dec. 12 press release. If Silagi is convicted, he will face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“This despicable act of hate against a member of our community will not be tolerated,” Beverly Hills police chief Mark Stainbrook said after the attack.
How can the criminal justice system strike a balance between public safety and addressing the underlying issues that contribute to crime?
K, a 65-year-old man, suffered multiple injuries including cuts and bruises. His wife, also in her 60s, was not physically harmed but was deeply traumatized by the incident. The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their shock and fear following the attack. They emphasized the need for stricter measures to protect the Jewish community from such hate crimes.
The incident has sparked outrage and concerns about the effectiveness of the zero-bail policy implemented in Los Angeles County. Critics argue that the policy not only puts public safety at risk but also fails to provide justice for victims of crimes. They believe that releasing individuals with a history of criminality without bail disregards the potential threat they pose to society.
Supporters of the cashless bail policy, on the other hand, argue that it is a necessary step towards addressing systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. They claim that cash bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals who cannot afford to pay for their release, resulting in unjust punishment for minor offenses. They believe that the focus should be on rehabilitation and addressing the root causes of crime rather than relying on punitive measures such as cash bail.
However, incidents like the attack on the Jewish couple highlight the need for a balanced approach that ensures public safety while also addressing the underlying issues in the criminal justice system. It is crucial to find alternatives that protect the rights of both victims and defendants.
In response to the incident, Beverly Hills police have increased patrols in the area and vowed to investigate the attack thoroughly. The Anti-Defamation League has also condemned the attack and called for a swift and thorough prosecution of the perpetrator. Many community organizations and religious leaders have expressed their solidarity with the Jewish community and called for unity against anti-Semitism.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that hate crimes continue to pose a threat to individuals and communities. It underscores the importance of education, awareness, and support in combating bigotry and prejudice. Furthermore, it brings into focus the need for comprehensive reforms in our criminal justice system that strike a balance between protecting public safety and ensuring justice for all.
As the investigation into the attack on the Jewish couple continues, it is crucial for authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable for their actions. It is equally important to address the concerns raised regarding the zero-bail policy and explore alternative approaches that prioritize the safety and well-being of all members of society.
In conclusion, the attack on the Jewish couple on their way to the synagogue highlights the need for comprehensive and balanced reforms in our criminal justice system. It is a call for action to protect vulnerable communities from hate crimes and to ensure justice for all. Only through collective efforts can we create a society that values and respects the dignity and rights of every individual.
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