2 boys admit role in videoed assault on intellectually disabled grocery worker

Two juveniles charged with the May 29 assault on an intellectually disabled man in Germantown admitted their roles Monday during a hearing in Philadelphia Juvenile Court.

Cameron Kline, a spokesman for the District Attorney's Office, confirmed that the two admitted to their conduct during a hearing before Family Court Judge Lori A. Dumas.

Both remained in custody Monday pending a disposition hearing on Aug. 1, Kline said. At that hearing, Dumas could order the two boys to spend up to age 21 in a juvenile treatment facility.

Juvenile Court officials have said that under Pennsylvania court rules they may not disclose any information about the case or its disposition because the boys were not charged with a felony.

News of the assault on Mark Smith, 40, drew international interest after a video went viral showing two teens punching him in the face while others watched and laughed.

Police at the time said a 12-year-old boy threw the first punch, which landed on Smith's left jaw. Another youth punched Smith a second time after he retreated, according to the video of the incident, while two other youths appeared to stand by and laugh. Police said two of the youths were brothers.

Smith, who worked at the Cheltenham ShopRite grocery, became the subject of a public outpouring of support organized in part by Bishop Leonard Goins, pastor of Chestnut Hill Church in Germantown, where Smith has been a member for more than a decade.