Hasidic Jewish students charged in NYC synagogue tunnel digging scoff at plea offer: 'Rather go to prison'

One of the defendants, Yaakov Rothchild, expressed that "being banned from 770 [Eastern Parkway] for three years is worse than jail," indicating their connection to the synagogue.

Rothchild's attorney, Jonathan Fink, criticized the proposed January 2025 trial date as "silly," underscoring the significance and complexity of the charges against the defendants.

The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Frank Longobardi, emphasized that the ban from the synagogue was essential, pointing out the defendants' provocative actions, like posing with a sign that read "Expand 770."

Read at New York Post