Council Office: (315) 448-8466 Fax: (315) 448-8423 ‘Common Council Office 314 City Hall Syracuse, N.Y. 13202 CITY OF SYRACUSE COMMON COUNCIL SUSAN C.BOYLE. Councitor-3rd District October 25, 2016 ‘Monroe County District Attorney's Office Honorable Sandra Doorley 47 S. Fitzhugh St Rochester, NY 14614 Dear District Attorney Doorley, received the following information today from a constituent regarding an attack on a nonverbal African American autistic member of the Syracuse City Schoo! District/ Corcoran HS track team which occurred during a track meet in Rochester, NY on October 14. 2016. ‘On October 14%, 2016 in Rochester, NY, during a Cross Country Race that was sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, The Purple and Gold Invitational, Chase T. Coleman, an autistic, nonverbal SCSD Corcoran HS 9" grade student who is a member of the cross country team, while in full uniform wearing attached runners bib with number, was attacked by Martin MacDonald (NY Plates HHJ-6518) while participating in the track meet, per two witnesses at the scene. Martin Mac Donald was driving a 4 door gold/tan Subaru with aforementioned plates, with no provocation, drove up behind Chase, got out of his car, grabbed Chase and pushed him to the ground, hovered over him and attempted to hit him when a female runner and male bicyclist intervened, At that time, Mr. MacDonald ran back to his vehicle and pulled away. Witnesses took down the plate number and description, A crime report was filed #16- 269028, Mr. MacDonald was quickly located and admitted to attacking the teen. His reasoning as reported to Mr. And Mrs. Coleman, the parents of the vietim, by police, was that two weeks prior, his car had been broken into by a young black male and he thought Chase was going to steal his car. ‘The parents were asked by Officer Sutton (badge #2492) if they would like to press charges for harassment, which they did. On October 24”, the parents received the attached letter from Judge Caroline E. Morrison of Rochester City Court stating that the warrant for charges of Harassment in the 2"° degree — Physical Contact was denied. 103 Arden Drive * Syracuse, N.Y. 13207 + sboyle@syrgov.netCouncil Office: (315) 48-8466 Fax: G15) 448-8423, Common Council Office $314 City Hall Syracuse, N.Y, 13202 CITY OF SYRACUSE COMMON COUNCIL SUSAN C. BOYLE Couneilor-3rd District Chase has tured in his uniform and did not participate in the last track meet and according to Mrs. Coleman, he does not intend to participate in future meets because he is traumatized. For an Autistic, nonverbal student to have joined a team, to be competing in organized athletic programs and acting as a part of a team and community is the kind of success we strive for. For all of this progress to be lost due to a racist, aggressive, unprovoked attack on a disabled African American minor with absolutely no consequences is, for lack of a stronger word, unacceptable. We cannot continue to tolerate these types of behaviors and validate them in our court system. I would like to request an explanation as to why the City of Rochester court system feels that this crime should go unpunished. Chase Coleman deserves an ‘answer, the parents, teacher, coaches and teammates who have worked so hard to build Chase up to a place where he feels safe and accepted and contributes as a part of a team, deserve an explanation and The Syracuse City School district deserves an explanation and an assurance that all of our our City School District students will be protected under the law while visiting Rochester, NY. Concemed members of the Syracuse Common Council and Syracuse City School District Commissioners of Education anxiously await your response. Respectfully Yours, Fee CP Susan Boyle Syracuse Common Council District 3 Education Committee Chair 103 Arden Drive + racuse, N.Y. 13207 * sboyle@syrgov.net