Fort Lauderdale couple accused of hate crime in attack on man

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Friday, 01.29.10 .
Fort Lauderdale couple accused of hate crime in attack on man

BY DIANA MOSKOVITZ
[e-mail]
en
A Fort Lauderdale couple is accused of twice attacking a man, and on Friday police labeled the attack a hate crime. Ricardo Rivera, 53, and Bedsaida Rivera, 49, are each charged with one count of battery.

Having their attack labeled a hate crime doesn't change the charges, Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Sgt. Frank Sousa said, but it does mean they face stiffer penalties if found guilty.

The first attack happened on Sept. 6 in an apartment building in the 2100 block of Northeast 56th Street. Barry Jones, 45, told police that he heard loud noises and banging coming from the neighboring unit. He went over and asked the group to keep down the noise, which led to an argument between him and Ricardo Rivera. Then Rivera began hitting him, according to an arrest affidavit.

``Jones stated that River knocked him to the ground and up against the wall,'' the affidavit said. ``Jones stated that Rivera was yelling `faggot' over and over while hitting him.''


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1453011.html

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Davie couple arrested in hate crime against Fort Lauderdale man
By Alexia Campbell, Sun Sentinel
6:55 p.m. EST, January 29, 2010



Ricardo Rivera is accused
of beating up his neighbor
in the 2100 block of NE 56th
Street when the man stopped
by his home to complain
about loud music and yelling.

FORT LAUDERDALE - A couple's alleged attack on a Fort Lauderdale man was a hate crime and they could face stiffer penalties if convicted, police said Friday.

Ricardo Rivera, 53, was charged with aggravated battery and his wife, Bedsaida Rivera, 49, was charged with simple battery in two September attacks on Barry Jones, 45. As a hate crime, the maximum sentence for aggravated battery doubles to 30 years in prison. For simple battery, the maximum sentence is raised from one year to five years in prison.

Both alleged attacks happened at a condominium in the 2100 block of Northeast 56th Street, according to a police report.

On Sept. 6, Jones knocked on his next-door neighbor's door and told the couple to keep the noise down, the report said. Ricardo Rivera, who was visiting his sister-in-law, allegedly punched Jones in the chest and face, called him a slur and threatened to kill him. Rivera left in a green Ford Expedition, the report said. Jones said he ran back to his apartment and called police. The assault tore his shoulder muscles and will require surgery, he said.

The next day, Jones saw Rivera's SUV parked by the condominium pool and went over to record the tag number. That's when Bedsaida Rivera allegedly attacked him with pepper spray, according to the report. "Faggot! I'm going to get you!" she is accused of yelling at him before speeding off.

More:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-lauderdale-hate-crime-20100129,0,1526789.story

On edit, adding wife's photo:



FLPD /

Bedsaida Rivera was arrested
Jan. 12 on a simple battery charge.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-bedsaida-rivera-20100129-photo,0,1693574.photo

[Lautremont]

1. I have a hard time believing that such a handsome man could be guilty of such a crime.