Gutsy Grandma Faces Mugger In Court

Rose Morat, the feisty 101-year-old Queens grandmother who was beaten and bloodied in the lobby of her Jamaica Estates apartment building almost a year ago, faced off in court last week against her attacker.

Morat appeared in court at the request of prosecutors who requested permission to videotape her testimony, citing that she might not be able to testify when her accused attacker, Jack Rhodes, 45, goes to trial for multiple counts of robbery, assault, burglary and grand larceny for the attack on her and another elderly woman.

Rhodes was caught on a surveillance tape punching Morat in the face and stealing $33 from her purse on March 4, 2007, police said. About one hour later and a few blocks away, Rhodes allegedly punched Solange Elizee, 85, in the face and stole $45 and two rings.

Morat told the court she was on her way to church when she spotted a man lurking inside the lobby of her apartment building. "I thought he was going to open the door, but then he hit me. He hit me on the left side. I saw stars. I held onto my walker as blood rushed down my side and my nose," she said.

Police and prosecutors charge the man then pushed Morat to the floor and struck her with a blow that crushed her cheekbone, he then grabbed her purse and fled.

When prosecutors asked Morat to identify her attacker, who was in the courtroom, she appeared shocked. "You mean he's actually here?" she asked. She stood, looked around the courtroom and said, "It's been a long time. Well, there are two people in this room I'm looking at." She turned her gaze toward Rhodes and asked the judge to make him smile and show "his large white teeth".

The judge ordered Rhodes to comply, and when he did, Morat shot back, "I would say it's definitely him."

The defense attorney, Paul Montgomery, asked Morat to point out the other person to whom she referred, she turned and pointed a finger at a New York Post reporter who was covering the proceeding.

Law enforcement sources said Montgomery could use Morat's hesitation in identifying his client when the case goes to trial, but sources said it would be difficult to press the issue, since Rhodes was caught on tape assaulting the feisty Ms. Morat.- Liz Goff