N-word bottle-basher at Met charged
A MAN WHO allegedly smashed a Metropolitan Museum of Art guard over the head with a glass bottle has been charged with a hate crime for also allegedly calling the guard a racial slur, the Daily News has learned.
Brandon Aebersold, 33, hurled the hateful insult during the attack at the iconic Upper East Side art museum at about 6:15 p.m. Friday, according to court papers.
“Do your job, n-----!” Aebersold allegedly barked at the victim, who was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell for treatment.
He suffered a cut to his head and “substantial pain and suffering,” according to Aebersold’s criminal complaint.
Aebersold was ordered held without bail at his arraignment Thursday, and Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Josh Hanshaft ordered a psychiatric fitness exam.
Prosecutor Philip Gary said Aebersold’s case will be presented to a grand jury on Monday.
On the top count, seconddegree assault as a hate crime, Aebersold faces a minimum of 31/2 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. He’s also charged with fourth-degree weapons possession.
Aebersold’s lawyer, Thomas Kenniff, asked for an additional psychiatric evaluation to be done at Bellevue Hospital while his client is in custody.
Kenniff said Aebersold’s arrest is an example of how society does not properly treat the mentally ill.
“Cases like this have less to do with criminality, and a great deal more to do with the woefully deficient mental health laws in this country and the inadequate resources devoted to helping those struggling with mental illness,” Kenniff said after the arraignment.
“It is time we start putting the same emphasis on rehabilitating those with mental health problems as we do with those in the grips of drugs and alcohol,” the attorney added.
Aebersold also has an open burglary and assault case in Manhattan.
He was released on his own recognizance in that case and was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Aebersold was arrested in December 2013 in Louisville, Ky., after saying there “needed to be more school shootings,” WDRB reported at the time.
He resisted and acted erratically when police arrived.