He is a good boy and has turned his life around. Update to a previous story.
Via The Detroit News
The youngest suspect in the beating of suburban motorist Steve Utash pleaded guilty to an assault charge Wednesday and agreed to testify against others charged in the incident.
In exchange for his testimony, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office agreed to drop ethnic intimidation charges against the 17-year-old, who allegedly initiated the attack on Utash. The teen, who was 16 at the time of the attack, will have to do time in a residential correctional program. He could be released from that program as early as September when he is due back in court before Wayne County Juvenile Judge Jerome Cavanagh for a report on his progress.
As part of the plea deal, the teen will have to pay Utash a undetermined amount of restitution and do 50 hours of community service.
The boy’s parents refused to comment on his plea deal but did ask their son’s defense attorney Solomon Radner to read a statement from them.
“We are not racist. We resented the fact that they initially charged him with a hate crime,” read the letter. “We have never taught racism in our home.”
The teen’s mother and father added “we continue to pray for Mr. Utash and his family and pray that he makes a full recovery.”
The teen is African American. Utash is white.
Radner said he doesn’t know why the teen was charged with ethnic intimidation because “he never told police he did it out of racism.” The boy threw the first punch hitting Utash in the head twice, said Radner. He added that the boy took off after that and did not get involved with the mob or the resulting melee that left Utash severely injured. He said his client turned himself into police after the attack and that there was no motive for the attack other than the teen “made a bad decision.” said the lawyer.