3 Years Probation, No Jail Time For Neighborhood Watch Beating Suspect

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A sentence is handed down for a neighborhood watch volunteer convicted in the 2010 beating of a teen in Baltimore County.

Jessica Kartalija has the details.

Eliyahu Werdesheim's attorney tells WJZ he's thrilled with the judge's decision.

A smiling Eliyahu Werdesheim exited Baltimore Circuit Court. His attorney, Andrew Alperstein, was pleased with the sentence handed down to his client.

"I think it was a fair result of a bad situation," Alperstein said.

On trial for the 2010 beating of then-15-year-old Corey Ausby, Werdesheim--who was part of a neighborhood watch group--was convicted of second-degree assault and false imprisonment. Wednesday, Judge Pamela White sentenced Werdesheim to three years community service for both counts. After 18 months, Werdesheim's attorney can file a motion to revise his sentence, potentially wiping his slate clean by removing all charges from his record.

"We're going to work it, we're going to earn it and we're going to get there," Alperstein said.

The nearly-two week trial that took place in May was full of what Alperstein called theatrics. There were a number of outbursts in the gallery and Ausby told the courtroom, "I don't want to testify. I want the charges to be dropped."

J. Wyndal Gordon, a spokesman for the victim's family, asked the judge for a stiffer penalty, including jail time.

"It cost the city of Baltimore a lot of money and throughout the entire proceeding, I never heard Werdesheim apologize to the family," Gordon said.

The judge also ordered Werdesheim to visit the Pratt Library and write two essays on the differences and similarities of Baltimore neighborhoods.

Avi Werdesheim was acquitted of all charges back in May.