Updated: Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 11:07 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 10:30 PM EDT
Daniel Rodriguez Sr., the father of one of the suspects in the attack on an openly gay man in Queens, spoke to reporters Thursday and asked for the forgiveness of the family of the victim.
The elder Rodriguez blamed himself for not teaching his son better behavior. He asked for "mercy" to be shown to his son.
The younger Rodriguez and Daniel Aleman are accused of beating Jack Price, 49, of College Point over the weekend. Police say they shouted anti-gay slurs during the attack.
Police quickly arrested Aleman, but Rodriguez Jr. fled to Virginia, where U.S. marshals caught up with him this week.
Price suffered two collapsed lungs, a broken jaw, broken ribs and a lacerated spleen. Doctors say he is in "good" condition.