Crime & Safety

Hate Crime Suspects Have Pre-Trial Delayed a Month

Wickham and Branstetter, accused of beating a man in a Coto de Caza park, will return to court August 24.

A pre-trial hearing for a pair of men from Rancho Santa Margarita charged with a hate crime has been delayed.

Nolan John Wickham and Matthew Gregory Branstetter, charged in an attack at a Coto de Caza Park, will next appear in court on Aug. 24. The pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Thursday.

According to court documents, they have pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm and second-degree robbery, both of which are felonies. There are also several enhancements attached, including commission of a hate crime, which both men have denied.

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According to the Orange County district attorney, Wickham, Branstetter and a third man approached the victim, who recognized one of his attackers, while he was sitting alone at a picnic table on April 6. The three men demanded money but the victim—known as John Doe—said he had nothing to give them; they then allegedly yelled anti-Semitic slurs and repeatedly kicked and punched him.  Sheriff spokesman Jim Amormino said John Doe was hit from behind in the head with an unknown object—possibly a tree branch.

Prosecutors accuse the attackers of stealing a jacket and cell phone before fleeing the scene.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

John Doe drifted in and out of consciousness throughout the attack and awoke after the defendants had left. He managed to reach his home, whereupon his father called 911. The victim was taken to Mission Hospital where it was determined that he had a concussion, broken jaw, eye socket fracture, broken nose, cracked ribs, severe facial bruising, and cuts and bruises to his body and face.


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