Dion Marsh, who pleaded guilty in February to five separate attacks on Orthodox Jews, four of whom he tried to kill, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department stated.
The 29-year-old stole a car from and attacked a visibly Jewish man in Lakewood, N.J., in April 2022. He drove that car into two other Orthodox men, trying to kill them, and used a second car to drive into two more Orthodox men, whom he also tried to kill. He stabbed one of the four as well.
“Each of Marsh’s victims were attired in traditional garments worn by members of the Orthodox Jewish community and were assaulted because they were visibly identifiable Orthodox Jews,” the Justice Department stated.
“Enough is enough—hate-fueled attacks on the Orthodox Jewish community are abhorrent, unlawful and contrary to our values as Americans” stated Kristen Clarke, an assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“As we aggressively work to confront and eradicate antisemitic violence, we recognize the unique vulnerabilities faced by Orthodox Jews who are often targeted because of religious clothing and yarmulkes,” added Clarke.
