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Delaguna allegedly attacked the jogger near the intersection of 53rd Place and Broadway in Woodside.
By Forum Staff
A Woodside woman has been charged with a hate crime after she allegedly attacked a passing jogger while using a racial epithet last month, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
Lorena Delaguna, 53, was arraigned Tuesday morning on a complaint charging her with second-degree attempted assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree. She was ordered to return to court on Friday, Sept. 25.
According to the charges, on Aug. 17, an African-American woman out for a jog in Woodside was suddenly surprised near the intersection of 53rd Place and Broadway when Delaguna allegedly threw a glass bottle at her. The bottle shattered near the jogger, splashing liquid on her. Delaguna is also accused of yelling and cursing at the victim, telling her to get out of here and go back to Africa and calling her the N-word.
According to the complaint, the jogger kept moving in an attempt to get away from the defendant. Delaguna allegedly followed her for at least a block while yelling and threatening the victim.
“Crimes like this, which are fueled by hate, are in a special category for a reason. No one should have to endure being called a vile slur or being attacked simply because of the color of their skin, their religion or who they love,” Katz said.
If convicted, Delaguna faces up to seven years in prison.