LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — A man accused of violently attacking 70-year-old Harpal Singh in North Hollywood appeared in court on September 2 for his preliminary hearing. The judge upheld serious charges, including attempted murder. Bo Richard Vitagliano has been charged with attempted murder, assault with force likely to cause great bodily harm, and aggravated battery, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the evidence presented during the hearing showed probable cause for the charges.
The District Attorney’s office has not yet filed hate crime charges. Officials said they are ready to consider hate crime charges if new evidence emerges. That could include a full interview with Singh, who remains hospitalized and cannot yet give a complete account of the attack. Munmeeth Kaur, legal director of the Sikh Coalition, attended the hearing with members of Singh’s family. She stressed that authorities should remain open to pursuing hate crime charges.
“They must be willing to consider hate crime charges if new evidence comes to light,” Kaur said. “It is encouraging that they understand the importance of a full interview with Harpal ji for those potential charges.”
The attack has shaken the Indian American and South Asian community. Singh suffered critical injuries in July when he was beaten outside a North Hollywood gurdwara. His family has said his recovery remains uncertain.
Local organizations have shown strong support for Singh and his family. On August 23, the Sikh Coalition, Khalsa Aid USA, Khalsa Care Foundation, United Sikhs, and SALDEF organized a “Day of Seva” in the same parking lot where Singh was attacked. Volunteers handed out hot meals and hygiene kits to unhoused residents.
Dozens of gurdwaras and more than 40 civil rights groups have signed letters urging authorities to investigate whether bias played a role in the attack. The community continues to call for accountability and increased safety for Sikh elders, who are sometimes targeted in hate incidents.
The South Asian Network will host a community safety workshop on September 7 at the Lankershim Gurdwara. The event aims to address ongoing concerns about public safety and provide guidance for preventing hate-motivated attacks. Attacks on elderly Sikhs often go underreported or are not fully investigated as hate crimes, advocates say. This case has drawn attention because it highlights the need for stronger protections and awareness.
The Sikh Coalition and other organizations continue to work with law enforcement and community leaders. They hope that cases like Singh’s will set a precedent for taking bias-motivated crimes seriously. Vitagliano’s next court date is expected later this month.
