Wife of Etan Patz murder suspect speaks out

  MOORESTOWN -- The wife of the man who's confessed to killing a New York City boy in 1979 says he has been mentally ill for years.

Rosemary Hernandez told the Daily News through her attorney that Pedro Hernandez has "suffered from delusions."

Police say Hernandez told them he strangled Etan Patz.

Attorney Robert Gottlieb says Hernandez's wife wants the prosecutor to understand the severity of his mental illness.

The DA has yet to bring the case to a grand jury.

Gottlieb says police have repeatedly tried to question Rosemary Hernandez since her husband's arrest outside their Camden, N.J., home last month.

The lawyer says she fully cooperated when he was arrested and now feels harassed.

Police are working to corroborate Pedro Hernandez's claims. His lawyer says he's schizophrenic.

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Father of arrested Morristown teen speaks out

MORRISTOWN (WABC) -- Milton Conway is doing what any father would do - protecting his son - until now. A mug shot of the 19-year-old after he was arrested and charged with lying to police in connection with 15-year-old Lennon Baldwin's suicide.

Investigators say Baldwin killed himself after a month of terror. Two underage students at Morristown High Schoolare charged with assault robbery and making terroristic threats.

Milton's son is not accused of touching Baldwin, just lying to police about the other two teens who did. Since he is an adult in the eyes of the law, his face has become the only one connected to the bullying headlines. Now he's getting online threats that read, "Justice would be to rob him and kill him. Someone said they are still lynch mobs down south."

These threats were serious enough for the school to ban him from campus for his own safety and the safety of others. This means no prom and no graduation.

Eyewitness News has word that Baldwin's parents are preparing to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the Board of Education. They are wondering if the district followed the strict state anti-bullying guidelines.

The school says it is conducting a review that will include an examination of all policies and procedures that deal with harassment, intimidation and bullying as well as an examination of the timely implementation of these procedures.

In the meantime, Milton just wants his son's roll to be put in context.

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Homeless beating victim speaks out

Web produced by Jennifer Matarese, Eyewitness NewsBELMAR, N.J. (WABC) -- The man who was viciously beaten by two young men who recorded the attack on camera is speaking out.

The victim is a homeless man, and there has been an outpouring of support for him.

David Ivins has a warm bed, food and clothing in the heart of Belmar.

It's a drastic change from the makeshift tent he called home in the middle of a wooded area.

"I was sitting there having a beer and they ran and jumped on me," Ivins said.

From his donated room at the Belmar Inn, David Ivins told Eyewitness News he doesn't remember much about that afternoon.

That day, two young men decided to punch, kick and torment the homeless man living in the wooded area, believing it was so funny they put it up on YouTube for the world to see.

At one point on the video they gave him an apology, followed by a knee to the gut.

"I'm trying to relax. My let got a cramp in it," Ivins said.

As for what he thinks about his two young attackers, "Not much."

Police quickly arrested 20-year-old Taylor Giresie and a 17-year-old minor because the video is crystal clear.

The images disgusted Giresie's long time neighbors.

"He's been in and out of foster homes. I'm not saying what he did was right. He's had a really screwed up family life. His father died last week. He was a total alcoholic," said Giresie's neighbor, Bobby.

Mayor Matthew Doherty says he's seen an incredible outpouring of support for the 50-year-old victim from the residents of Wall Township to countless calls from across the country.

"I have a coat and gloves," Ivins said.

"I can't tell you how many messages I got by text and Facebook about this. Everyone wants to do something for this man," Mayor Doherty said.

Information on how you can help the victim:

The Wall Township Police Department has coordinated efforts with Wall Helps Its People (WHIP) to set up a donation fund for the assault victim. Anyone interested in making a monetary donation can mail it to the following address: WHIP P.O.Box 1214, Wall, NJ 07719.

WHIP will not be accepting clothing or food donations on Mr. Ivins' behalf. Monies received will be used to provide Mr. Ivins with food, clothing, shelter and other necessities that he may need. Please indicate on the memo portion of your check "David Ivins" or include a note indicating where you would like your donation to be directed. Any clothing or food products for the victim can be dropped at the Belmar Police Department.

For other information please visit www.wallpolice.org.

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