Dozens show up to support alleged ethnic intimidation victim in court

Dozens turned out to show their support to an alleged victim of ethnic intimidation during a court appearance Thursday.

The suspect, 54-year-old Jeffrey Burgess, 54, is accused of using racial and anti-Muslim slurs and punching a man of Indian descent at a South Hills Village restaurant last week. Burgess is charged with ethnic intimidation, simple assault, harassment and public drunkenness.

On Thursday, in a district justice office in Bethel Park, people from all walks of life packed in to show their support for the victim and voice their concerns.

Ernest Rajakone said, “I think it's more of a symptom of a lot of the tension and issues that are going on here in the United States and a larger conversation we need to have in our communities.”

Burgess waived his right to the hearing and left the courtroom in a hurry. The victim declined to comment, but supporters who don’t even know him said they will continue to stand by him as the case heads to court because they know it could have happened to any of them.

“I’m not Muslim, but I stand in solidarity because I know that I could fall into that same category. I could be victimized as well. And it's not a sentiment I want anyone to face. So that's why I'm here to stand in support with him,” said John Gnalian.

The victim was treated at the hospital for a cut lip. Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.