A South Burlington 18-year-old accused of intentionally trying to use his car to kill a man over a seemingly small dispute was back before a judge on Wednesday.>>>Disclaimer: Viewer discretion advised: Video may be disturbing to some viewers. Hamza Velic previously pleaded not guilty to attempted murder. According to police paperwork filed with the court, the dispute started over snowballs. Velic was apparently angry, investigators from the Burlington Police Department said, that the other man, identified as Oliver Reed, threw snowballs at his car. Velic claimed those snowballs contained rocks and dirt. However, police described how that is no excuse for Velic trying to hit the victim multiple times with his Audi instead of simply driving away.Investigators wrote in the police affidavit that it is a “miracle” the victim is alive and doesn’t even have broken bones. He is quite scraped up and is very badly bruised, police noted. Police also said the two men did not know each other prior to the encounter.The suspect is currently jailed, after entering a not guilty plea to the attempted murder charge Tuesday. On Wednesday in court, lawyers discussed if it is safe to keep Velic behind bars, considering his young age of 18.An employee from the Vermont Department of Corrections said the department could keep Velic away from the general population inside a facility, pending his next hearing.”My concern is the seriousness of the offense and the danger to the public,” said Vermont Superior Court Judge Michael Kupersmith. “And I’m not willing to simply release Mr. Velic without knowing a whole lot more about him and about his family situation.”Judge Kupersmith told Velic’s defense attorney he wants to first hear evidence and have it be subject to cross-examination before making a determination on whether Velic can be released from jail on conditions. At a weight of the evidence hearing this Friday, the judge is expected to hear that evidence and consider whether Velic could be released to the custody of his parents.In an interview with police outlined in the affidavit, Velic blamed the tint of his car windows for why he did not see the other man he struck. However, investigators wrote that video evidence shows Velic had no trouble driving other than the times he swerved to hit the victim.Court paperwork obtained by NBC5 News also revealed this is not the first time Velic is accused of a crime involving a fancy car. Investigators wrote in court paperwork that in December of 2023, a police database listed Velic as having been in possession of a stolen Lamborghini.
A South Burlington 18-year-old accused of intentionally trying to use his car to kill a man over a seemingly small dispute was back before a judge on Wednesday.
>>>Disclaimer: Viewer discretion advised: Video may be disturbing to some viewers.
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Hamza Velic previously pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.
According to police paperwork filed with the court, the dispute started over snowballs. Velic was apparently angry, investigators from the Burlington Police Department said, that the other man, identified as Oliver Reed, threw snowballs at his car. Velic claimed those snowballs contained rocks and dirt. However, police described how that is no excuse for Velic trying to hit the victim multiple times with his Audi instead of simply driving away.
Investigators wrote in the police affidavit that it is a “miracle” the victim is alive and doesn’t even have broken bones. He is quite scraped up and is very badly bruised, police noted. Police also said the two men did not know each other prior to the encounter.
The suspect is currently jailed, after entering a not guilty plea to the attempted murder charge Tuesday.
On Wednesday in court, lawyers discussed if it is safe to keep Velic behind bars, considering his young age of 18.
An employee from the Vermont Department of Corrections said the department could keep Velic away from the general population inside a facility, pending his next hearing.
“My concern is the seriousness of the offense and the danger to the public,” said Vermont Superior Court Judge Michael Kupersmith. “And I’m not willing to simply release Mr. Velic without knowing a whole lot more about him and about his family situation.”
Judge Kupersmith told Velic’s defense attorney he wants to first hear evidence and have it be subject to cross-examination before making a determination on whether Velic can be released from jail on conditions. At a weight of the evidence hearing this Friday, the judge is expected to hear that evidence and consider whether Velic could be released to the custody of his parents.
In an interview with police outlined in the affidavit, Velic blamed the tint of his car windows for why he did not see the other man he struck. However, investigators wrote that video evidence shows Velic had no trouble driving other than the times he swerved to hit the victim.
Court paperwork obtained by NBC5 News also revealed this is not the first time Velic is accused of a crime involving a fancy car. Investigators wrote in court paperwork that in December of 2023, a police database listed Velic as having been in possession of a stolen Lamborghini.
