NY court sees synagogue attack as hate crime

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's top court says a person can be guilty of a hate crime even if the violence is directed at a building rather than a person.

The Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Tuesday that the stricter penalties imposed for such crimes apply to a man convicted of trying to bomb a Bronx synagogue in 2000.

Mazin Assi (MAH'-zeen AH'-see) is serving 5 to 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors say he and three others tried to make firebombs out of vodka bottles and threw them through the glass door on the Congregation Adath Israel synagogue on the eve of Yom Kippur. The homemade bombs did not ignite.

Assi told police he was angry that a Palestinian child was shot by the Israeli Army and wanted to make a statement that would stop Middle East violence.