FRESNO (KMJ) — The two people accused of attacking an elderly Sikh man at the end of last year, in what’s been described as a hate crime, were arraigned in Fresno County Superior Court on Friday.
17 year old Alexis Mendoza and 22 year old Daniel Wilson have been charged with multiple crimes, including felonies, relating to the alleged attack in December.
The District Attorney’s Office says they targeted 68 year old Amrik Singh Bal, running him over with their car. Both pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Alexis Mendoza has been charged with one felony count of Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury, one felony count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon (a vehicle), as well as allegations that the crimes committed were “hate crimes”. He’s also facing additional charges relating to the age of the victim, and that he suffered what’s being considered as ‘great bodily injury’. The District Attorney also announced that the 17 year old is being tried as an adult.
Daniel Wilson is looking at one felony count of Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury. The 22 year old is also facing allegations that the crime committed was a “hate crime”, and additional charges relating to the age of the victim.
After both pleaded not guilty, the Judge set Alexis Mendoza’s bail at $115,000. If found guilty, he faces as many as 13 years in prison.
Daniel Wilson has had his bail set at $35,000 and is looking at as many as 8 years behind bars if found guilty.
Mendoza and Wilson are due back in court on April 6th.
Singh Bal was severely injured but survived the attack which was captured on surveillance video. Federal investigators helped FPD nab the suspects earlier this week.
Hear the story from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
