Crime & Safety

Reports: Alleged Firebomber Confesses to Paramus, Rutherford Synagogue Attacks

Defense attorney says client's mental health at issue.

Prosecutors said the 19-year-old Lodi man accused of arsons at synagogues in Rutherford and Paramus confessed to the crimes, WABC-TV reported Tuesday.

Anthony Graziano’s attorney, however, said his client’s admission should not be taken seriously, citing his mental health, according to a report on northjersey.com.

“It’s rather clear that he has psychological and emotional problems. He can even be delusional at times,” attorney Robert Kalisch said in the report.

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Authorities have said Graziano and set a fire at a Paramus synagogue. County Prosecutor John Molinelli also revealed last week Graziano planned to attack . 

A judge also reduced Graziano's bail from $5 million to $2.5 million, according to the Associated Press. He remained held at the Bergen County Jail Tuesday afternoon, records show. 

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Investigators tracked Graziano , authorities have said. Graziano has pleaded not guilty to the charges, including nine counts of attempted murder. 

The attacks prompted and to increase patrols at religious sites around the county, and came after two acts of in Maywood and Hackensack. Those cases are not related to the arsons, authorities have said.


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