“It was learned through [Boston police] Investigation that the suspect had strong religious views and opinions against Jews, Christians and American culture, which were preconceived notions with which he came from the Middle East, ”said Assistant District Attorney Margaret Hegarty.
Awad, who lived in Brighton, had told a witness, “All Jews are stingy and mean,” said Hegarty. He also said, “You do not know the light” and “You Christians will all die,” she added. Hegarty did not identify Awad’s religious affiliation.
Outside the courthouse, Rollins said the police were told by people who knew Awad or had interacted with him that he had biased views against multiple races and would get very angry if his views were challenged.
“Witnesses also noted that the suspect stereotyped various differences in racial groups and behaviors, including white and black, and that he was particularly harsh on Jews,” Hegarty said.
Hegarty said Awad was “suspiciously traded” near the Shaloh house one day before attacking Noginski as he stepped out the front door of the school. She said Awad had to walk past a menorah statue before reaching Noginski, who was wearing a yarmulke, suggesting that he was targeting a Jew specifically.
Awad tilted his head back and looked at the ceiling as Hegarty described the brutal attack.
Rollins filed the civil rights lawsuit when Awad was undergoing a medical examiner’s proficiency assessment.
The clinician told Judge Steven M. Key that Awad was diagnosed as bipolar, did not take any psychiatric medication while in Massachusetts, and was deemed unable to stand trial in Florida, where he was charged last year. He also received psychological treatment in Egypt, said the clinician.
Key ordered Awad to undergo a criminal investigation at Bridgewater State Hospital for the next 20 days.
Awad’s court-appointed defense attorney, Stephen J. Weymouth, moved for the appraisal. He later told reporters that he expected Awad to be charged with a biased crime when he found out about the attack. He said he did not believe the information provided by prosecutors to support such charges.
“It looked like some kind of casual crime. There was a van, there was access to keys, ”Weymouth said. “I don’t see anything that suggests to me that this is based on hate. I thought that the report that was presented today in connection with the two cases [was] terribly terribly slim. “
Awad stubbornly denies having “concerns” about Jews, Christians or blacks, he said.
“There is an explanation [for Awad’s actions], “he said.” It’s not good, but it doesn’t involve hatred. “
However, Rollins said an investigation by the FBI, Boston Police and state agencies found enough evidence to indict Awad of hate crimes and civil rights violations.
“We are here today because we want the Jewish community to know that we believe this is due to anti-Semitism.
“[The rabbi] wore a Yarmulke, stood in front of a school that teaches about the Jewish faith and religion, stood in front of a huge menorah and a bus for the Hebrew camp, ”she said. “We just wanted to make sure that we knew a little more about the suspect and that we could prove these two additional charges, which we are very confident about.”
While Awad’s mental health issues are a matter of concern, “but that doesn’t change the fact that a violent attack took place,” Rollins said.
Awad was charged with nine crimes, including assault and assault with a dangerous weapon. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. He has to appear in court again on July 29th.
Noginski, a father of 12, was discharged from a Boston hospital and called his survival a miracle. “If people want to see a miracle, they should look at me,” he told reporters in Hebrew on Sunday.
Jewish community leaders condemned the attack as a hate crime, and the Anti-Defamation League said the new charges against Awad were justified.
“We welcome today’s hate crime charges for the brutal attack on Rabbi Noginski,” the group said in a statement. “They are a clear reminder that anti-Semitism continues to stir up violence against the Jewish community.”
We welcome today’s hate crime charges related to the brutal attack on Rabbi Noginski. They are a powerful reminder that #Antisemitism continues to fuel violence against the Jewish community. pic.twitter.com/xKbRo8jsZp
– ADL New England (@ADL_NewEngland) July 8, 2021
According to court records, Awad lives in a small brick apartment building a five-minute walk from Shaloh House.
A man who identified himself as Awad’s roommate told the Globe last week that he rented a room in his apartment to Awad about four months ago.
He described Awad as a calm, “normal guy” and said he never noticed anything unusual about him. He said he was unaware of Awad’s mental health issues.
John R. Ellement can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe. Andrew Brinker can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @andrewnbrinker.
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