Perinton Hiker Assault Case: Van Epps Pleads Not Guilty to Hate Crime Charges

Derrick Van Epps, the individual apprehended for launching an alleged assault on a hiker at Perinton, has been officially indicted on hate crime charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the severe allegations leveled against him, which include attempted murder and assault, both described as hate crimes. Following his arraignment, Van Epps was returned to county custody.

The prosecuting authorities, comprising the District Attorney’s office along with the grand jury, have postulated that the motive behind Van Epps’s alleged assault was an egregious bias against the victim’s ethnicity, complexion, and nationality. They have surmised that Van Epps singled out the victim specifically due to these prejudices. The weight of such allegations happened to be a significant revelation in this case.

The violent assault in question took place approximately three weeks ago at the summit of Indian Hill Trail, accessible via Route 31. The victim of this purported hate crime is Dylan Ghaemi, who recounted his chilling experience of being ambushed from behind by a knife-wielding assailant.

According to Ghaemi, the alleged assault was unexpected, as the two had just exchanged brief greetings while crossing paths shortly before the incident. Ghaemi received several lacerations on his head and neck, suggesting a potentially lethal attack.

Ghaemi’s hands bore the brutal evidence of his struggle with his attacker. The severe cuts obtained as he defended himself resulted in heavy bandages. Despite the physical and emotional trauma, Ghaemi displayed a profound sense of faith in the justice system.

Ghaemi expressed his thoughts about the incident: “I leave it to the legal process to get to the bottom of this. In today’s society, people of my complexion often become the target of such prejudice.” His words highlight the racial undertones that the prosecution is arguing the crime involved.

Suspect Van Epps is currently incarcerated with bail set at $50,000. Another important development in this case is the upcoming mental competency examination slated for him. This test is intended to assess whether Van Epps possesses the cognitive capabilities needed to comprehend his charges and aid in his defense.

The presiding judge ordered this mental evaluation when Van Epps was arrested and brought up on charges. This crucial examination is anticipated to take place in the ensuing weeks and the results might have a bearing on the proceedings and discussions in court.

The case legalities continue apace, with the lawyers slated to deliberate on the results of the mental assessment once the case is resumed in court later in September. It is a key component to determine the future trajectory of this high-stake case.

After the court hearing, Ghaemi shared a brief message, “Doing well, thanks for checking in.” The victim chose not to attend the arraignment – a decision that can be understood in light of his recent traumatic ordeal.

In a broader context, a stark increase in hate crimes in upstate areas has been indicated by state data. A report by the state comptroller from 2024 portrays a concerning trend, with hate crimes nearly doubling from 233 incidents reported in 2020 to 420 in 2023.

The situation appears graver when it comes to physical attacks. The number of assaults recorded almost tripled from 161 incidents in the year 2018 to a staggering 385 in 2022, suggesting a stark escalation of violent tendencies and deepening social divides.

This disturbing trend underscores the urgent need for intensified efforts in awareness, education and law enforcement to curb these surges of hate crimes. The case of Van Epps and Ghaemi stands as a sobering reminder of the prevalent challenges society faces.

It serves as a testament to the importance of vigilance in recognizing the signs of racial prejudice and hatred, the dire consequences they can lead to, and the urgent need for justice in such cases.

The incident at Perinton and the ongoing trial of Van Epps serve as stark reminders of the escalating hate crime situation. It leaves a lasting impact on the society, urging everyone to be more responsible, empathetic and respectful in our diverse communities.