A Southern California family expressed outrage after a man who slapped his autistic son filed court papers Monday asking for a diversion instead of jail time.
A lawyer for Scott Sakajian, who was charged in July with intentional child abuse and assault on a person, said Monday that 10-year-old Alfredo Morales “hit the hood ornament with his left hand.” The motion was filed alleging additional video evidence showing. “” by Sakajian’s Mercedes-Benz.
The first video shared on social media shows Sakajian slapping a 10-year-old boy who touched a stopped Mercedes-Benz logo while waiting for a light to change near an intersection in Laurel Canyon. was reflected. Boulevard and Osborne Street.
A lawyer for Morales’ family called Sakajian’s request to change course “ridiculous” and said the man does not accept responsibility for his actions.
“(Sakajian’s) lawyer said, ‘Well, I didn’t know the boy was autistic.’ What does that have to do with anything?” said Antonio Villegas, a lawyer for the Morales family. . “You can’t slap a 10-year-old who doesn’t have autism.”
Mr. Villegas also argued that Mr. Sakajian could have his conviction record expunged in the future if he successfully obtained a change of heart rather than a prison sentence.
“At the end of the probation period, if you pass, you can apply for dismissal and you will get it. But at least you should have a record of what you did that day,” the lawyer said.
The Morales family is said to be under a lot of stress and wants justice by setting an example to prevent others from going through what their son went through, the attorney said.
“I want people all over the world to understand that this is not right,” said the boy’s father, Miguel Alfredo Morales. “You have to respect children in all situations.”
In response to the Morales family’s claims, Sakajian’s attorney told NBC Los Angeles that there was a “substantial amount” of information he had submitted, including other video clips and information leading up to the incident. He declined to comment on the incident. Incident.
“The media will be surprised by what will come out about Mr. Morales,” Sakajian’s attorney, James Blatt, said of the boy’s father, adding that there is video footage of the situation before he allegedly slapped the boy. insisted.
According to the complaint obtained by NBC Los Angeles, Sakajian acknowledged that there is “absolutely no excuse for hitting people, especially minors,” but that Sakajian “repeatedly vandalized vehicles in a similar manner.” He pointed out that he had experienced
Blatt said Sakajian and his family received death threats and had to leave their home.
The judge has until Jan. 23 to decide whether to grant Sakajian diversion, which could include community service or an anger management program.
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