Two Teens Plead in Simi Valley Hate Attack

Two of five juveniles charged in the Aug. 1 brawl outside the Regal Cinemas in Simi Valley have admitted to felony assault and hate-crime enhancements, and one of those teens also admitted involvement in a related May 30 criminal-threats incident, Ventura County prosecutors said. Video of the attack shows 18-year-old Michael Robinson being swarmed, punched and taunted with racial slurs, and two other victims sustained injuries. The two who pleaded guilty are scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 13 and Nov. 19 and are expected to remain in juvenile custody until then. Three other teens charged in the incident have not admitted charges and have arraignments or plea proceedings continued into mid-November; the defendants’ names are withheld because they are minors. Prosecutors and community advocates condemned the racially motivated attack, and news reports note one charged teen is the son of a Simi Valley police sergeant who is not part of the investigation.