The alleged vandal of Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills came one day closer to his day in court following a July 9 preliminary hearing at the Los Angeles Superior Court. Anton Redding, a 25-year-old from Philadelphia, has pleaded not guilty to charges of vandalism of a religious property and commercial burglary, with a penalty enhancement for a hate crime. Redding, who appeared through his attorney, faces up to six years in prison.
On December 14, 2019, congregants of the Iranian Jewish temple found their house of worship in disarray. Trash cans were upended; chairs and furniture were toppled over; prayer rugs and yarmulkes lay scattered about and Torah scrolls were thrown to the ground. Two hearts appeared on the wall, drawn in the chalky white residue of a fire extinguisher.
