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Probation in DePaul Assault Case After Felony Hate-Crime Counts Are Dropped

Prosecutors accepted a misdemeanor battery plea after dropping the original felony hate-crime charges.

Overview

  • Adam Erkan, 20, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and received two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.
  • Court records show he initially faced seven felonies, including four hate-crime counts, before a Nov. 25 plea deal reduced the case.
  • Police say the Nov. 6, 2024 attack targeted two Jewish students advocating for Israel, leaving Max Long with a brain injury and Michael Kaminsky with a fractured wrist.
  • Investigators tied Erkan to surveillance footage, and prosecutors say his father identified him in the video before Erkan was arrested the following week.
  • A second participant has not been charged, the victims and advocates are urging an arrest, and the students have sued DePaul alleging the university failed to protect them.