Shaul spitzer trial

The Appellate Division ruled Wednesday that Spitzer, who was 18 when he set fire to the home of a dissident member of the Hasidic village in , could have been eligible for youthful offender status when he was sentenced. The court ordered Spitzer back to court to be resentenced and said the judge must also consider whether he should qualify for youthful offender status. The ruling did not compel the judge to grant the status, but did require the court to address the issue.

Spitzer agreed to a plea bargain that sent his to prison for seven years for the firebombing, which seriously injured a year-old man and gave a rare public view of schisms within the rigidly controlled Skver Hasidic community.

The teenager, who worked as a "hose bucher" for New Square grand rebbe David Twersky, could have received a sentence of 25 years on an attempted murder charge. The top sentence for youthful offender for first-degree assault is four years. His earliest release date is If he is granted youthful offender status, he could be released immediately.

Rottenberg suffered third-degree burns on half his body. Spitzer had burns on his hands and arms. Rottenberg claimed in a lawsuit that Spitzer was acting at the direction of the village's chief rabbi, David Twersky. Spitzer occasionally worked for Twersky. Rottenberg alleged that Twersky was angered because Rottenberg had stopped praying at his synagogue. The rabbi denied involvement, criticized the attack and was not charged. Spitzer occasionally worked for Twersky.

Rottenberg alleged that Twersky was angered because Rottenberg had stopped praying at his synagogue. The rabbi denied involvement, criticized the attack and was not charged.

Spitzer's lawyers also said the rabbi was uninvolved. Rottenberg's relatives said that they had endured broken windows and threats after Rottenberg began worshipping at a nearby nursing home and that they feared an attack. Under the plea bargain, a state Supreme Court judge promised a sentence of no more than 10 years, Lowenberg said.