New York City attorney Paul Shechtman's comments came after another Spitzer lawyer, Kenneth Gribetz, said their client didn't intend to burn down Rottenberg's house, injure or try to kill the 43-year-old plumber.

When ask why Spitzer went to the Truman Avenue house at 4:15 a.m. May 22 when family members were asleep, Shechtman responded, "I will have a scenario " when the time comes in court.

Shechtman declined comment on the details, as did Gribetz and his law partner, Deborah Loewenberg.

Spitzer, 18, faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison if convicted of the top counts of second-degree attempted murder, second-degree arson and two counts of first-degree assault.

Rottenberg is recovering from third-degree burns to 50 percent of his body. He was released this week from Westchester Medical Center.

Rottenberg and his family became targets of late-night protests by residents loyal to Grand Rabbi David Twersky, vandalism and threats dating from September to a week before the attempted arson.

Rottenberg and other male residents had drawn the ire of religious leaders and Twersky for publicly refusing to follow the rabbi's edict that his followers pray during the weekly sabbath in the village's one synagogue.

Rottenberg and others instead prayed at the Friedwald Center, about a mile from the center of New Square.

Rottenberg's son-in-law, Moshe Elbaum, derided the comments made by Gribetz and Shechtman on Spitzer's behalf.

"I am sure they are doing what they get paid for and to get mercy for the boy," Elbaum said.

As for Shechtman's plan to provide an explanation for Spitzer, Elbaum laughed and said, "I don't think it will go over too well."

"Why did he throw (a gasoline soaked rag) on the house," Elbaum said of Spitzer. "We'll see what he (Shechtman) comes up with."

Gribetz, a former Rockland district attorney, said outside court that Spitzer is remorseful, contrite and prays for Rottenberg's recovery. He also cries for what happened to Rottenberg, Gribetz said.

"He explained to us," Gribetz said. "I don't want to go into what happened. He never intended to burn down the house, try to kill anyone or injure Mr. Rottenberg."

Elbaum said actions speak louder than words.

Spitzer, who is related is the village's deputy mayor, lived in Twersky's house at the time of the May attack and worked as the grand rabbi's butler, as did his brothers before him.

"If that boy is really sorry, the first thing you do is apologize to our family or my father-in-law," Elbaum said. "He didn't contact the family or have his family contact us."

Gribetz strongly denied that Spitzer received any orders from Twersky or anyone close to the religious leader to target Rottenberg.

"The grand rabbi had nothing to do with this," Gribetz said.

Spitzer did not say anything during his arraignment before state Supreme Court Justice William A. Kelly at the Rockland County Courthouse. A Yiddish-speaking interpreter translated for Spitzer.

Kelly maintained Spitzer's $300,000 bail and ordered him to return to court on July 28. Prosecutor Tina Guccione told Kelly she's ready for trial.

Ramapo police arrested Spitzer hours after the incident and he spent weeks in a New York City hospital with third-degree burns to hands and arms. He returned earlier this month to New Square and to the village's main boys' yeshiva.

During an interview Wednesday, Rottenberg blamed Twersky, who has denied the allegations and condemned violence.

Rottenberg said New Square residents suffer from "brainwashing" and Spitzer was a pawn in the Rabbi's attempt to control how people live and pray in New Square.

תוקן על ידי boyskver ב- 26/06/2011 21:32:26