NY- 6 arraigned in brutal attack in Seneca Falls

10-21-2008 New York:

Six people arrested in connection with a brutal attack in Seneca Falls were in court today.

William, Brandon, Justin Meacham and Marvin Snyder are all charged with first degree gang assault. Stephanie Meachum and sister Angela Wheeler are also charged with gang assault and face additional attempted assault charges. William Meacham is a convicted sex offender.

They're all accused of brutally beating Adrian Porter in his apartment complex last month. Porter was found in the parking lot of the apartment complex where he lived. He was bleeding and unconscious. Family members say he suffered a broken nose, facial fractures, and brain trauma.

"I want justice in my brother's case," Porter's sister Selena McKoy said. "Point blank. Because no human being should ever have to go through something like that."

Seneca Falls Police say the attack appeared to be retaliation for Porter trying to alert his neighbors about sex offenders who lived in their complex.

"We found that Mr. Porter had downloaded the photos of sex offenders that lived in the complex, and had posted them somewhere in the vicinity of the laundromat that's in the facility." Seneca Falls Police Chief Frederick Capozzi said.

After court, Porter's sister and members of the Meacham family had a heated exchange before the mother of five of the suspects came to their defense.

"I'm not saying my kids done right, they done wrong," Sheryl Meachum said. "But when you're being run down with a machete, you're not going to stand there. You're going to fight back."

Police and the Seneca County District Attorney couldn't comment on the use of that machete. They say it's part of their investigation into what the DA calls a tragedy for everyone involved.

"This was a tragic affair for the Porter family," Seneca County District Attorney Richard Swinehart said. "He was seriously injured by a group of people, that's why we brought gang assault charges here today. It's obviously a tragedy for the Meacham family, who have five of their relatives all in jail right now, plus one of their friends."

Adrian Porter is currently recovering at the brain trauma unit at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester. His mother Deborah Williams says her son has been able to move and talk somewhat, though he is still experiencing problems with his memory. ..news Source.. by News10 NBC