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STATEN ISLAND (CBS) ―  When 17-year-old Ali Kamara was beaten by two teenagers on Election Night, who allegedly shouted "Obama!" as they hit Kamara, it did not take police on Staten Island long to track down Bryan Garaventa and Ralph Nicoletti, both 18. They had descriptions from Kamara, for one thing. And because police believed Garaventa and Nicoletti went looking randomly for Blacks and Latinos to beat up in what investigators think was some kind of weird "payback" for the election of Barack Obama (Kamara is an immigrant from the African country of Liberia; Staten Island has a large Liberian community), this was classified as a hate crime.

Now, as the "Staten Island Advance" first reported, a second attack Election Night is being looked into as possibly having been committed by the same two teenagers. And, as another hate crime. The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force has been joined in this investigation by the FBI, by the way: it is conceivable that Federal charges may be brought in this case. And, those include much tougher penalties.

The second victim that night is 38 year old Ron Forte. Investigators believe Garaventa and Nicoletti went searching for victims through poor neighborhoods to increase the chances they would find somebody Latino or Black. Forte was walking home from his job as a manager of a Shop Rite. Because it was raining and cold, he had a sweater with the hood up. In the dark, police think Garaventa and Nicoletti may have thought he was Black or Latino. Investigators believe they deliberately hit Forte with their car.

Forte is white.

He was left near death in the street. I talked with him and his mother Eileen yesterday. He was in a coma for more than three weeks. Eileen did not think he was going to make it. "But I believe in prayer," she said. "Everybody: our wonderful family; my co-workers; his co-workers; our friends --- they all prayed. When he opened his eyes..." And she cried. "It was my Christmas miracle."

But, when Ron was bleeding and unconscious in the street, and finally taken to Richmond Hospital (and Eileen can't stop praising the staff there and at Kessler, the rehab institute), he was at first listed as a "John Doe." He had no ID.

So, how did investigators find out who he was? And, allegedly link what happened to him to Garaventa and Nicoletti?

First, Ron Forte has a denture. DNA was taken, and a match made.

But when Eileen and other family got to the hospital and talked to police, they said Ron always carried a wallet. And, other things. The cops started looking.

The investigation into the earlier attack on Kamara led police to Garaventa and Nicoletti. And I am told by people close to the investigation, that cops began looking a little more closely for items either connected to the pair, or which could be traced back. And found things they believe came from Ron's wallet, as well as items like his iPod.

I'm told investigators believe Garaventa and Nicoletti hit Forte with their car; and then either stopped and got out, or came back to the man bleeding in the street. And took what he had off his prone body.

And, police believe --- beat him some more.

The attorneys for the two are not returning calls.

Meanwhile Ron Forte, who suffered brain damage and numerous physical injuries --- remember, this was a healthy 38 year old; now he needs a walker to get around, and I saw his mother help him to the bathroom ("When he opened his eyes, he asked 'Where's Grandma'?" Eileen Forte sobbed. "She's been dead several years. His memory comes and goes.") --- is out of a job. And he's got five kids.

Eileen has had to give up her job to take care of Ron. Somehow, they are going to put a bright face on the holidays. Eileen keeps it in perspective: "I see his smile. I'm holding his hand. I almost lost my son. This is the best present."

Oh, one last thing: "Tell them about Detective Kim Jackson, from the Hate Crimes Squad. She was much more than a detective. She called every day. She prayed. She really cared."

Consider it done, Eileen.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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