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Man Convicted Of Beating Up Old Ladies, May Face 90 Years
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 7, 2009
Modified Oct 7, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 7, 2009
Modified Oct 7, 2009
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A 47-year-old Elmhurst resident was convicted of beating up and robbing three women in 2006 and 2007—most notably a 101-year-old woman using a walker and an 85-year-old woman. Jack Rhodes, found guilty of "multiple charges of first-degree burglary, first- and second-degree robbery and second-degree assault," faces between 39 to 90 years in prison.
The reason for the long possible sentence is because attacks on senior citizens are considered hate crimes. As caught on surveillance tape, Rhodes repeatedly punched 101-year-old Rose Morat (pictured) in the face and took her $33 when she was entering her home at Jamaica Estates. Then he robbed 85-year-old Solange Elizee that same day, taking $32 and rings while leaving her with bruises and cuts. The outrage over the crime caused Rhodes to be shadowed while in jail, in case other inmates wanted to hurt him. It also turned out that Rhodes also robbed a third victim, a 51-year-old woman.
Many reporters visited Morat yesterday; the NY Times reports, "Now 103, still vigorous as she greeted reporters on Tuesday, hours before the man accused of attacking her and two other women was convicted of robbery, burglary and assault in State Supreme Court in Queens. 'My only thought is that from what he has done, that he will always be in prison,' she said. 'I just hope he won’t be able to hurt anybody else.'" She said she will be 104 next February, "God willing."
Tagged
assault
conviction
granny beating
Jack Rhodes
mugging
Rose MOrat
senior citizen
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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