Man charged with civil rights violations in South End attack

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

A 29-year-old Framingham man is facing four civil rights violation charges for allegedly attacking a group of friends heading home from a nightclub in the early morning hours of Aug. 24 in the South End.

Fabio Brandao, who also faces multiple assault and battery charges, pleaded not guilty this morning before Boston Municipal Court Judge Eleanor Sinnott. He was freed after posting $10,000 cash bail.

Victims told police a white Honda stopped alongside them and four men inside the car began shouting obscenities that included homophobic slurs. The men then got out of the vehicle and began assaulting the victims while continuing to yell slurs.

Prosecutor Vincent DeMore said the victims provided investigators with the license plate of the car -- and the car turned out to be registered to Brandao. Brandao's cell phone was also found at the scene.

Brandao's attorney, Francis W. Doran Jr.,. said in court that Brandao was a naturalized citizen from Brazil, who has been in the country for 10 years. Brandao is married and has a 9-year-old child.

"He hasn't any criminal record of any substance," Doran said.

As for the evidence mentioned by DeMore, Doran said, "That may very well put him at the scene, but that by no means establishes participation."

All four victims were punched or kicked or both; two had to go to the hospital, prosecutors said.

“Additional suspects remain at large, and we believe others out there know who they are,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a statement. “We urge anyone with knowledge of their identities to contact us so we can ensure that this violence – visited upon four victims walking peacefully down a city street – does not go unanswered.”

Judge Sinnott slated a pretrial hearing for Oct. 10.

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