Edition: U.S. / Global

Man Convicted in Rabbi's Death

Published: May 23, 1991

A jury convicted an unemployed house painter yesterday in the killing last year of Rabbi Chaskel Werzberger, a leader of the Satmar Hasidic community in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

The 37-year-old defendant, David Ranta of Brooklyn, could face 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 10 by Justice Francis X. Egitto, who conducted the trial in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn. Botched Robbery

Rabbi Werzberger, 58, was a sexton, or chief assistant, to the grand rabbi at Congregation Yetev Lev D'Satmar. The rabbi, a native of Hungary and a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp, came to the United States after World War II.

He was shot about 5:45 A.M. on Feb. 8, 1990, in front of his apartment in Williamsburg. His assailant fired one shot through the passenger side of the car, opened the door, shoved the rabbi's body onto the street and then sped off in the rabbi's 1985 Oldsmobile Cutless.

The prosecutors, Barry Schreiber and Suzanne Mondo, charged that Mr. Ranta killed Rabbi Werzberger to steal his car while making a getaway after botching the robbery of a jewelry courier.

The defense lawyer, Michael Baum, contended that Mr. Ranta, who was arrested in August, was the wrong man and was charged with the crime to quiet the anger of the Hasidic community over the slaying of the rabbi.

A witnesses for the prosecution, Alan Bloom, testified that he and Mr. Ranta tried to rob Chaim Weinberger, a jewelry courier, who thwarted the robbery by speeding away in his car. He said Mr. Ranta shot the rabbi while making a getaway. Appeal Is Planned

On the second day of deliberations in the three-week trial, the jury convicted Mr. Ranta of attempted robbery, robbery and murder in the commission of a robbery, while acquitting him of an intentional murder charge.

"We think the verdict was just and we are satisfied that justice was done," Mr. Schreiber, said.

Mr. Baum called the verdict unjust and said he would appeal it.