NY Daily News

They applauded loudly when a Suffolk County judge refused to reduce the $1 million cash bail for the hoods charged with viciously beating Firefighter Richard Berkhout last week.

But the suspects avoided looking at the firefighters while their lawyers entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.

When the two-hour hearing was over, Berkhout's wife, Margaret, wept and leaned on the shoulder of her brother, retired NYPD Lt. John Nugent.

"The family's happy with the outcome" of the bail hearing, said Nugent. "It was the best they could hope for."

Christopher Robinson, whom prosecutors described as "the person most responsible," faces up to 28 years in prison if convicted of gang assault, first-degree assault and third-degree assault. His twin brothers, Darnell and Darian Taylor, face 25 years each, if convicted.

The 46-year-old firefighter, who worked at Engine 298 in Queens, lost hearing in the left ear and could suffer seizures for the rest of his life from the skull fracture, prosecutors said.

Berkhout was transferred yesterday from intensive care to a private room at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, where family members said he was in serious but stable condition.

"He's conscious and alert, but by no means is he home free yet," said Nugent. "He doesn't remember much. He remembers the car screeching by, saying, 'Slow down,' getting in front of his wife and waking up in the hospital."

The Berkhouts were walking to their car after attending a 9/11 memorial when Robinson, 25, and his 28-year-old brothers attacked, cops said.

Robinson, who had just been released from prison after serving four years for another assault, allegedly smashed Berkhout in the face with a metal object that prosecutors did not identify - and that cops apparently have not found.

Then Robinson's brothers allegedly pounded the prone firefighter before attacking Margaret, who had swiped their car keys to slow their getaway.

She was not seriously injured, and the suspects were arrested soon after.