LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — A man accused of violently attacking 70-year-old Harpal Singh in North Hollywood appeared in court on September 2 for his preliminary hearing. The judge upheld serious charges, including attempted murder. Bo Richard Vitagliano has been charged with attempted murder, assault with force likely to cause great bodily harm, and aggravated battery, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the evidence presented during the hearing showed probable cause for the charges.
The District Attorney’s office has not yet filed hate crime charges. Officials said they are ready to consider hate crime charges if new evidence emerges. That could include a full interview with Singh, who remains hospitalized and cannot yet give a complete account of the attack. Munmeeth Kaur, legal director of the Sikh Coalition, attended the hearing with members of Singh’s family. She stressed that authorities should remain open to pursuing hate crime charges.
“They must be willing to consider hate crime charges if new evidence comes to light,” Kaur said. “It is encouraging that they understand the importance of a full interview with Harpal ji for those potential charges.”…