Based on available information, the FBI is not anymore involved in the New Square Arson Attempt case. Why? It was never a Federal Case to begin with! “The Feds” never took it over; they only “assisted” the local Police Department in the investigation. This is a routine move by the Feds anytime something out of the ordinary takes place, (such as a Hasidic kid trying to burn down a house…). Once the FBI does not see any evidence beyond the headline story (in this case that someone tried burning down a house), they pack their bags and skip town. If they see potential evidence of a larger story, they may take over a case altogether. Federal boys aren’t the type of being half-in/half-out.
Additionally, based on available information, the case is (back) in the hands of the Rockland County DA’s Office, instead of it being in Westchester County.
The story is still an open book and more information and/or evidence may emerge one way or another. However, the recent developments as is will certainly lead the detractors of the Hasidic Community to conclude that “the power” of New Square successfully got in the way of Justice. But, claiming that a Grand Rabbi of a large Hasidic sect – or his responsible deputies – would send a youngster to kill others or to “only” burn down a house, was bizarre to begin with. It was a charge reflected in hate and/or a misunderstanding as to how a Hasidic Community runs on a day to day basis. No, I won’t deny that the New Square Leadership had issues with the victim; a controversial issue on its own. However, from “having issues” with someone to sending people burning houses with people in it, is a large leap, and something that – based on the current evidence – does not hold up in a Court of Law, regardless the one-sided reports from bias journalists.
Additionally, claiming that a local Police Department, a County District Attorney (for whose 2007 campaign I did some translating work), or Federal agents will look the other way in a potential murder case based on “power” from a Community, is stepping into uncharted territory that should not have place in objective reports or in mature conversations regarding this sad event. The case on its own – that a family was nearly killed – is disastrous for the Community as is. Generating conspiracies based on wishful thinking or on some anecdotal hearsay, does not serve well anyone at anytime, certainly not the standard of journalism.
UPDATE: The Feds may be “involved” in the case such as following the outcome, but based on my understanding they do not have an active role in the ongoing investigation.
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