Rally in Support of Teen Assault Victim Planned for East Hampton Town Justice Court
The family of David Peralta-Mera, a college student who police said was attacked in an August road rage incident in East Hampton, has invited the public to rally with them at East Hampton Town Justice Court on Thursday morning, where the alleged perpetrator, Charles H. Streep, has a court date.
Streep is not set to appear, however. Bench conferences are being handled virtually with defense attorneys.
The rally called, “Justice for David Peralta” is meant to not only show support the teen, who suffered a brain injury, but also to make a stand against racism. Peralta claims Streep spewed racial epithets during the August 24 assault in the Chase Bank parking lot. Streep is a nephew of the actress Meryl Streep.
Streep, a 31-year-old former college athlete, allegedly put Peralta in a chokehold. Peralta required emergency surgery to relief a brain bleed. While he is out of the hospital, his attorney, Edmond Chakmakian, said that he may have suffered irreparable damage.
Police charged Streep with second-degree assault and second-degree strangulation, both felonies, but Chakmakian has asked the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office to consider filing hate crime charges. Meanwhile, he filed a civil suit against Streep in New York Supreme Court, as Streep lives in Manhattan when he is not at his parents’ summer home in East Hampton. The suit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages. The amount has not been specified.
A GoFundMe.com fundraiser has been set up to try and raise $100,000 for Peralta’s medical bills. Peralta, who lives in Springs, is an East Hampton High School graduate who was studying criminal justice at St. John’s University and working at Dopo La Spiaggia as a server.
The rally will begin at 9 a.m. in front of Justice Court, located off Pantigo Road in East Hampton. His family said supporters may bring signs to show support.
Those who wish to join the rally have been asked to text “David” to 631-827-2378.
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