7 men indicted for assault outside Academy Charter School graduation

A Nassau County grand jury indicted seven men for an alleged gang assault and slashing of two people outside an Academy Charter School graduation at Hofstra University in June.

The grand jury handed down indictments against Isaiah Moore, 19; Devon Moore, 19; Devon Fenner, 18; Zachariah Fulton, 19; Taiwan Jackson, 23; Unique Pruitt, 21; and Michael Gaines, 21, all of Hempstead.

They were each charged with felony attempted gang assault, felony second-degree assault and misdemeanor third-degree assault.

If convicted, they each face up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.

"What was meant to be a celebration of achievement devolved into an afternoon of violence," Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement.

Prosecutors said the seven men planned the June 19 attack following a high school graduation for the Academy Charter School, which has campuses in Hempstead and Uniondale. The attack occurred as the victim, a guest of a charter school student, was leaving the graduation ceremony held at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex just after 4 p.m.

Prosecutors said the seven men jumped on him and began punching him in the face and body and kicking him while he was on the ground. Prosecutors said Isaiah Moore used a sharp object to slash the back of the victim’s thigh, causing excessive bleeding.

A student who attempted to intervene to help the victim was cut in the ear, prosecutors said. Both victims were taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where they were treated for their injuries and released.

Isaiah Moore, Devon Moore, Fenner, Fulton, Jackson, and Pruitt were arrested by Nassau County police on the Hofstra campus shortly after fleeing the scene. Police arrested Gaines on July 23.

Fulton was the last of the defendants to be arraigned on the indictment. That happened Monday and he pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

Isaiah Moore was also charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon and had the highest bail set during his arraignment Aug. 12. He pleaded not guilty and his bail was set at $150,000 cash or $300,000 bond.

Isaiah Moore’s attorney Karen Johnston said her client denied the charges and she would request a review of the bail during the next court hearing.

The remaining five defendants also pleaded not guilty.

Devon Moore and Fenner’s attorneys declined to comment. Other attorneys could not be immediately reached for comment.

Jackson and Pruitt were arraigned Aug. 6. Jackson’s bail and bond were both set at $50,000. Pruitt’s bail was set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond.

Gaines, Devon Moore and Fenner were arraigned Aug. 8. Gaines’ bail was set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. Devon Moore’s bail was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. Fenner was released to pretrial services with electronic monitoring.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.