MANASQUAN — Parker Drake, the 20-year-old Howell man who was goaded by two others into jumping from a jetty into freezing ocean water last year, has been described by authorities as someone who could be easily taken advantage of because of his developmental disabilities.

But that says nothing about his sense of compassion.

After nearly drowning in the February 2015 prank, Drake on Tuesday helped spare one of his tormentors from a sure jail sentence.

Nicholas Formica and Christopher Tilton, both 21 and both of Howell, were found guilty of endangering an incompetent person. The prosecutor on Tuesday asked the judge to sentence Formica to 90 days in jail, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Hearing that, Drake turned to the prosecutor and said: "Do you think (Nicholas) Formica should really go to jail?" the Press quoted him as saying.

Instead of jail, both defendants were sentenced to several months of community service.

The 21-year-olds were accused of posting a video of the prank on social media. Drake, a diabetic, said his insulin pump froze and he feared he would drown.

News of the incident led lawmakers to increase the penalty for endangering people with developmental disabilities.

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