Story Archive

Stop the Hypocrisy

Joshua Magraff, 26, was walking down the street in Washington, Penn., in the afternoon daylight when an SUV pulled up and two people jumped out. Police say that the two, Nikole Ardeno and Emanuel Velez, both 30 and local residents, beat Magraff unconscious, then kicked the unconscious man repeatedly, leaving him in critical condition. Police who quickly arrested the couple noted Ardeno was still wearing her “Stop the Violence” t-shirt — she and Velez are the founders of the Stop the Violence group. Just the night before, Ardeno had led an anti-violence rally in the city demanding a reduction in violent crime. “She’s a big part of that group,” said police chief Chris Luppino, and “he’s very active with them.” Police say that 20 minutes before the attack, the two had filed a police report accusing Magraff of burgling their apartment, but Luppino says Magraff, their former roommate, had only retrieved his own belongings after deciding to move out. (RC/Washington Observer-Reporter) ...Sure enough, now they’re in jail, there’s less violent crime in Washington, Penn.