PRESS RELEASE:

For Immediate Release:           For More Information,Contact:
Tuesday, May 2, 2000               Sin Yen Ling, 212-966-5932

SUNY-BINGHAMTON EXPELS ONLY ONE ASSAILANT 
         IN ANTI-ASIAN BIAS ATTACK

    On May 1, the SUNY-Binghamton Office of University Relations announced
that only one of three assailants, Nicholas Richetti, would be expelled for
his involvement in the February 27 bias attack against four Asian American
students. A second student facing disciplinary charges, Chad Scott, was
suspended until fall 2002 and, if he is readmitted, will be barred from
university housing and certain areas on campus. Charges against the third
student, Christopher Taylor, were dropped. Following three separate
disciplinary hearings, the university found that Richetti and Scott were
responsible for causing physical injury, kicking and harassing the Asian
American students. All three attackers still face criminal charges for
second-degree gang assault.

    The white assailants, who are members of the school's wrestling team,
brutally attacked four Asian American students on campus while shouting
racial slurs. One student, John E. Lee, suffered a skull fracture,
hemorrhaging and a cerebral concussion. The Binghamton police have
classified the incident as racially motivated.

    "The Administration subjected the Asian American students to unfair and
abusive questioning, even though they were the ones who suffered injuries
and racist slurs," said Sin Yen Ling, AALDEF Legal Fellow. "It is
inconceivable that the Administration would expel only one student, given
the overwhelming evidence of the involvement of all three wrestlers in this
vicious attack.." AALDEF has been retained by the four Asian American
students to provide legal assistance and monitor the criminal trial of the
three assailants.

    Luiz Lee, John Lee’s brother, angrily exclaimed: "It's simple. I have
had enough with the school. The method in which they conducted the judicial
hearings was unacceptable. Their judgment is even worse. It’s a slap in the
face to me, my family, to my brother, and my brother’s friends." 

    The Broome County District Attorney has brought felony charges of
second-degree gang assault against all three white students. A grand jury
proceeding is tentatively scheduled for May 9 and 10.

* * *

 Other News