By Christina Lilly, South Florida Gay News
What was supposed to be a trial date turned into a calendar call in the case of the man alleged to have vandalized the Pride intersection in Delray Beach.
Alexander Jerich and his new attorney met with the State Attorney’s Office Friday morning and decided on a potential plea conference for the morning of March 1.
If the case is not resolved that day, or if Jerich doesn't file a motion for continuance, there is a potential trial date of March 8, Richard T. Clausi Jr., chief of the Misdemeanor Division at the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office.
The “calendar call” on Feb. 11 was originally scheduled to be a trial date back in October. Just days later, Jerich was pulled over for driving 87 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone. He paid $356 in fines and court fees and is also required to take a defensive driving course. Jerich also appears to have a new lawyer; he is now being represented by West Palm Beach attorney Robert Pasch.
Jerich was arrested on June 17 and charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, reckless driving and evidence of prejudice (felony enhancement). However, in August, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg dropped the hate crime charge. He explained in a press conference that the case did not meet one of the requirements of the law to move forward with a hate crime — he explained that the victim was from the city of Delray Beach, which does not have a sexual orientation or gender identity.
The office also looked into charging Jerich under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ new Combating Public Disorder statute, but Aronberg said that the case did not meet the requirement of the memorial honoring or recounting “the past or public service of a Florida or United States resident.”