Homeless Victim of Taped NJ Beating Enters Rehab

A homeless New Jersey man whose videotaped beating was posted on YouTube has voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program in Pennsylvania.  

The free program was among the numerous donations and support 50-year-old David Ivins received from an outraged community after the videotape showed a young man punching and kicking Ivins in the face, bloodying his nose, before telling him, "Merry Christmas.''     

Belmar Police Chief Tom Palmisano tells the Asbury Park Press the facility offered assistance and Ivins was going through the program on Tuesday. Ivins has said he has an alcohol problem.     

The name of the program was not released.     

Charities have collected nearly $10,000 for Ivins.     

A 20-year-old Belmar resident and a 17-year-old from Lake Como are charged in the Dec. 11 and 12 assaults in Wall Township.