The three Rockville Centre teenagers who allegedly assaulted a resident on Roxen Road back in June are heading to court Friday.
William Moore, Matthew Diperna and Kevin Coyle have all been charged with second-degree gang assault — a C felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. They are set to appear in Nassau County First District Court on Friday.
Previous court dates have been adjourned multiple times for the three defendants, but Friday marks the first time that the trio is set to appear in court on the same day.
Moore and Diperna, both 18, were arrested one day apart, mere hours from their South Side High School graduation. Coyle, also 18, was arrested three weeks later at his home after the Rockville Centre and Nassau County Police departments discovered his involvement through a joint investigation.
According to police, the assault happened when the wife of the victim was walking her dog on Nottingham Road and was verbally accosted by five to eight young men. She ran home and told her husband of the incident, and the two drove around the neighborhood looking for the men to demand an apology.
They found the group on Roxen Road, which is where the assault took place, police said. Neighbors who heard the disturbance called police at 11:55 p.m. The men fled before police arrived and Nassau County detectives were called in to join the investigation.
The man was transported by Rockville Centre police to Mercy Medical Center where he was treated for broken ribs, multiple contusions and injuries to the face and jaw.
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John R. Lewis Jr., the attorney for DiPerna, told Patch in July that the his client is innocent and that the victim was responsible for the start of the physical altercation.
"It is my contention that the alleged victim was not looking for an apology, but started the physical altercation," he said. "... I believe these boys will be vindicated at the end of the day."
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray spoke out after the incident, stating that he would not tolerate behavior like this in the village.
"I try to be a calm and reserved man, but I must admit that this outrageous assault has my blood boiling," Murray said. "I am infuriated that such a thing could happen in our village."
I still frequent the restaurants and do business there. I still have friends that live near Roxen Road and they're concerned with the crime and violence. I doubt these men will see one minute of jail time, unless the were from Old Mill Court. Mommy and Daddy will take care of these hoods. Something tells me that DiPerna will walk scott free, until he does this again. Sell your house and move out of RVC. Its becoming Baldwin and Hempstead.