Amadeo Quindara (left) was allegedly brutally assaulted by Christian Lentz (right) in what has been described as a hate-fueled attack. FILE PHOTOS
LAS VEGAS – The family of a 77-year-old Filipino American who was brutally assaulted by his neighbor in Las Vegas has vowed to continue fighting hate crime after the attacker received a 90-day jail sentence on Monday.
Amadeo Quindara was assaulted by his neighbor Christian Lentz two years ago, in what has been described as a hate-fueled attack. Prosecutors said Quindara was targeted for being Filipino.
The attack left Quindara with deep cuts on his face and body, brain bleed, memory loss and permanent injuries.
Clark County District Court Judge Jennifer Schwartz sentenced Lentz to 90 days in jail for the May 2023 attack on Quindara. Lentz will also serve probation for five years and attend the court’s mental health diversion program.
“We keep on thinking if maybe we weren’t Asian, maybe this would have been a different sentence,” Philip Quindara, Amadeo’s son, told KLAS 8 News Now. “We keep on hearing that we’re not treated fairly. We’re not treated as equals. This is a moment that kind of backs that up.”
“We have to continue to fight,” he said. “This is kind of stirring up more emotions. This is not going to go away, but now we have to live with the fact that 90 days is in our heads now.”
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Quindara was in his garage on May 30, 2023, when Lentz threatened him, then returned to slam him to the ground and repeatedly punch him in the face. His wife later found him in a pool of blood.
In a security camera recording, Lentz could be heard saying Quindara would “be on a ventilator” and “die’” and racial slurs like, “You should speak English. You should speak English. You Japanese,” according to the KTNV report.
In his defense, Lentz’ lawyer Mandy McKellar said his client was not in his right mind during the attack as he was suffering severe psychotic break from bipolar disorder.
The Quindara family disagrees with this defense.
“Let’s be clear – this was not a random act; This was a hate crime. Christian Lenzt chose to target my father because he is Filipino American,” Phillip Quindara told KLAS 8 News Now as they awaited sentencing two weeks ago.
After the sentencing on Monday, Amadeo Quindara pondered what the outcome would’ve been if the roles were reversed.
“What would have happened if I was the one that went in his house?” Quindara asked. “Would I hear the same thing? Would I get the same three months if I did the same thing to him?
