Back in April, Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young was arrested for allegedly striking a man outside a Midtown hotel—and he also allegedly uttered anti-Semitic remarks, prompting him to be charged with a hate crime. Today, Young has pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment in the second degree and will have to "complete 10 days of community service and participate in a mandatory restorative justice program at the Museum of Tolerance New York," according to the Manhattan DA's office.
On April 27, 2012, Young drunkenly approached four men outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue and 54th Street around 2:30 a.m. and yelled, "F***ing Jews," and then attacked one of the men." Young said afterwards, "I sincerely regret what happened last night...I take this matter very seriously, and assure everyone that I will do everything I can to improve myself as a person and player."
If Young complies with the terms, he'll be able to withdraw his plea and then plead guilty to a lesser violation (plain old harassment) on May 7, 2013. Manhattan DA Cy Vance explained, "Dispositions for defendants charged with bias-related crimes need to be thoughtful and tailored toward healing both the defendant and the entire targeted community. That’s why the restorative justice program that my Office’s Hate Crimes Unit developed with the Museum of Tolerance is so important - defendants learn how their words and actions can have implications far beyond a single incident, and are taught about sensitivity and compassion. I am very proud of this one-of-a-kind program and what it’s been able to achieve so far."
