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Two Simi Valley Teens Plead Guilty to Hate-Crime Assault in Theater Parking Lot

Video capturing racial slurs underpins the case as three other minors await mid-November hearings.

Overview

  • Two 16-year-olds changed pleas to guilty to felony assault with a hate-crime enhancement, with sentencing set for Nov. 13 and Nov. 19.
  • Prosecutors say one of those teens also admitted to criminal threats tied to a May 30 incident at the same shopping center.
  • The two who pleaded guilty are being held at the Ventura County Juvenile Facilities in Oxnard until sentencing, while the other three have mid-November court dates.
  • The Aug. 1 attack outside Regal Cinemas targeted 18-year-old Michael Robinson, with cellphone video documenting racial slurs and injuries to at least three people.
  • Five minors were charged overall: three with felony assault and hate-crime allegations, one with felony assault plus misdemeanor battery and criminal threats, and one with misdemeanor threats and battery.