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WEBVTT THE COURTROOM AND YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE SUSPECT ONE ON ONE. REPORTER: JEFFREY ALAN BURGESS SAYS HE WAS HEAVILY INTOXICATED AND THEN WAIVED HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING, BUT WE'RE NOT SURE IF THAT'S A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR THE DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP FOR THE VICTIM OF ETHNIC INTIMIDATION. JEFFREY ALAN BURGESS DIDN'T UTTER ONE WORD IN FRONT OF TELEVISION CAMERAS AT HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING. POLICE SAY HE BEAT AN INDIAN MAN IN HIS FACE AND HEAD WHILE INSIDE THIS RED ROBIN RESTAURANT AT SOUTH HILLS VILLAGE MALL. AFTER, HURLING RACIAL EPITHETS AT THE MAN. >> IT'S WHAT EVERY DAY MINORITIES IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE TO DEAL WITH. REPORTER: MANY SHOWED UP ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIM. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT RIGH NOW. REPORTER: HE DID NOT WANT TO DISCUSS THE INCIDENT. HOWEVER, BURNLES, THE MAN ACCUSED OF BEATING MEHTA AND ETHNIC INTIMIDATION, DID TALK WITH ACTION NEWS 4 OFF CAMERA BEFORE THE HEARING, BURGESS SAID, QUOTE, IT WAS THE ALCOHOL, I'M NOT THAT KIND OF PERSON, IT HAPPENED, AND I'M REMORSEFUL ABOUT IT. BETHEL PARK POLICE SAY BURGESS THOUGHT MEHTA WAS OF MIDDLE EASTERN DESCENT. BUT HE IS INDIAN. >> THIS TEARS AT THE FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AS AMERICANS. REPORTER: BURGESS IS CHARGED WITH ETHNIC INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT AND PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, THIS CASE HAS BEEN

Advertisement Man accused of ethnic intimidation, assault at Red Robin indicted Jeffrey Burgess was indicted on a charge of violating Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

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A man accused of ethnic intimidation and a physical attack at a South Hills Village restaurant was indicted on a charge of violating the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler said. Pittsburgh resident Jeffery Allen Burgess is alleged to have violated the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act by willfully causing bodily injury to victim Ankur Mehta because of race, color and national origin, according to the indictment. If convicted, Burgess, 54, will face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. Burgess waived his preliminary hearing in Bethel Park District Court on charges that he beat a man in his face and head at Red Robin. Dozens of people from community activist groups showed up for the preliminary hearing to support the alleged victim, Mehta, and denounce ethnic intimidation. "It’s what every day minorities in this country have to deal with," said Earnest Rajakone. Before his court appearance, Burgess spoke with Pittsburgh's Action News 4 outside the courtroom and said, "It was the alcohol." He added, "I'm not that kind of person," and, "It happened and I'm remorseful about it." As he left court after waiving his hearing, Burgess declined to comment.Police were called to the restaurant at the mall for an assault occurring at the bar. When officers arrived, they found Mehta, who directed them to the suspect. Police said Burgess spoke with slurred speech and was staggering and smelled of alcohol. Mehta told police that Burgess had been seated next to him at the bar. Mehta was working on his tablet and had earbuds in his ears. Burgess allegedly began using racial and ethnic epithets and told Mehta that “things are different now” and “I don’t want you sitting next to me. You people.” Burgess then used an ethnic slur commonly used against those of Middle Eastern descent. But Mehta is not of Middle Eastern descent. He is Indian.Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reached out to several Indian organizations and temples but no one was available to comment. Although Mehta is Indian, the Council for American-Islamic Relations appeared at court to show solidarity for minorities who are targeted by hate crimes and intimidation. "This tears at the fabric of our society. We need to work together as Americans," CAIR President Safdar Khwaja said. The criminal complaint says Burgess beat Mehta in the head and face with his elbow and fist -- “launched an unprovoked attack on the victim as he was seated at the bar, beat him physically,” Bethel Park Police Chief Timothy O'Connor said. Mehta was oblivious to the comments until Burgess allegedly struck him in the face with his elbow multiple times. Witnesses told police Burgess grabbed Mehta by the head and punched him. Witnesses also said Mehta was defenseless and unaware of Burgess’s impending attack. Mehta was taken to St. Clair Hospital with a loose tooth and a cut to his upper lip. Burgess was arrested on suspicion of ethnic intimidation, simple assault, harassment and public drunkenness.