Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes Announces the Indictment of Meilech Schnitzler for Assault after Allegedly Throwing Bleach in the Face of Rabbi Nathan Rosenberg

Kings County District Attorney's Office
December 27, 2012

http://www.brooklynda.org/press_releases/2012/Press%20Releases%2012-12.html#07_

Brooklyn, December 26, 2012 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the indictment of Meilech Schnitzler for Attempted Assault in the First Degree, for throwing a cup of bleach in the face and eye of Rabbi Nathan Rosenberg on December 11, 2012.

Schnitzler, 37, is charged with two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree; Assault in the Second Degree; Assault in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.

“This indictment alleges an act of thuggery in broad daylight that cannot be tolerated,” said District Attorney Hynes. “The indictment sends a clear message that anyone who would seek to intimidate someone opposed to the uncovering of sexual abuse in the Orthodox community will face serious criminal charges and if convicted, I will ask for the maximum jail time.”

According to the indictment, the defendant and the victim both lived in Williamsburg and knew each other. The victim was walking past 311 Roebling Street when Schnitzler allegedly tapped Rosenberg on the shoulder, threw a cup of bleach in his face and eye and ran away.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

The case is being prosecuted by Ari Farkas, Senior Trial Attorney in Trial Zone Grey. Nancy E. Laxer is the zone’s Executive Assistant District Attorney.