Wednesday, June 27, 2012

A Baltimore judge has sentenced a Jewish former neighborhood watch member to three years of probation for assaulting and illegally detaining a black teenager in the fall of 2010

But the judge also tacked on an unusual form of punishment for Eliyahu Werdesheim: homework. Werdesheim, 24, must read, research and write about Baltimore City's special interest groups and the strengths and weaknesses of its neighborhoods. White advised Werdesheim that he could find the publications he needed for his research at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, where she hangs out. White sentenced Werdesheim to three years in prison — all suspended — on each of two charges: second-degree assault and false imprisonment of then-15-year-old Corey Ausby of Baltimore. She also sentenced him to three years of supervised probation, with conditions. In addition to probation, Werdesheim is to pay court costs, and must work and attend school regularly. Werdesheim is to have no contact with Ausby. White gave Werdesheim and his attorney, Andrew Alperstein, no more than 18 months to move to strike a conviction that stemmed from an altercation on November 19, 2010. At the time, Werdesheim was a relatively new member of the Shomrim of Baltimore neighborhood watch group. He was on patrol with his brother, Avi, when he twice confronted Corey Ausby, whom Werdesheim said was looking into houses and car windows in the Upper Park Heights area of Baltimore near Pikesville. White convicted Werdesheim on May 3, 2012 of second-degree assault and false imprisonment of Ausby. He was acquitted on charges of using a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. His brother was found not guilty.

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