In the hours after the Taj Patterson beating, approximately 20 members of Williamsburg's Shomrim street patrol allegedly went door to door over a 10 block radius from the site of the Taj Patterson beating to erase or destroy security camera footage that would implicate fellow Shomrim members and other hasidim in the beating.
Williamsburg Shomrim Allegedly Obstructed Justice In Taj Patterson Beating Case
Shmarya Rosenberg • Failedmessiah.com
In the hours after the beating of Taj Patterson in Williamsburg early in the morning of December 1, approximately 20 members of Williamsburg's Shomrim street patrol allegedly went door to door over a 10 block radius from the site of the beating to erase or destroy security camera footage that would implicate fellow Shomrim members and other hasidim in the beating a source close to the situation who fears retribution if exposed told FailedMessiah.com.
Shomrim members allegedly used bribes and coercion to erase or destroy the footage at bodegas, small shops, and other businesses and buildings, some run by non-Jews and some by hasidim.
It was this obstruction of justice along with what another source called corruption at the 90th Police Precinct that helped delay the arrests only made yesterday of five hasidim on charges related to the beating by more than four months.
This alleged obstruction of justice and corruption also destroyed or concealed evidence against as many as 15 other hasidim linked to Shomrim who participated in the beating, the source noted.
Police brass supposedly fear exposing the breadth and depth of Shomrim’s allegedly criminal misbehavior for fear Shomrim will leak information it holds on police corruption, including the roles haredi and hasidic “fixers” allegedly play along with some cops to cover up crimes. But it also may involve other types of behavior by some officers, other sources have previously said.
Shomrim has previously denied acting in ways that intentionally obstruct justice.