September 13, 2007
“Top Chef” Gay-Bashing Suspect Arrested
An Oregon man was arrested on a robbery charge Thursday in connection with a Sea Cliff, N.Y., gay-bashing attack reported by former “Top Chef” contestant Josie Smith-Malave.
Matthew W. Walli, 20, turned himself in to authorities Thursday and, after giving testimony about the Sept. 1 incident, was arrested on a charge of second-degree robbery, said Nassau County, N.Y., police Detective Lt. Kevin Smith.
. . .
Smith-Malave, a lesbian, says she and two other women were victimized outside a bar called Partners on Labor Day weekend by a group of about 12 people, including three women, who spat on them, punched them and made anti-gay slurs such as “bush muncher.”
During the altercation, Smith-Malave’s $800 mini-camcorder was stolen.
Robbery second degree is a class C felony; it could bumped up to a class B felony if the robbery is determined to be a bias-related hate crime. Class B felonies carry a sentence of anywhere from five to 25 years. Walli could also be charged with aggravated harassment as details emerge.
Smith said the investigation is ongoing as the department canvasses for names and that other arrests may follow.
See also:
Ex-’Top Chef’ contestant beaten in Sea Cliff
Filed under: Celebrities, Hate Crimes, New York
