KVUE reports a new trend taking place outside of Austin nightclubs. It seems a group of people are waiting for intoxicated individuals to leave such establishments so that they can punch them. According to police the goal is to knock them unconscious.
That’s exactly what happened to 26 year old Joseph Solis earlier this week as he left Fuze nightclub. He has since undergone jaw surgery and may never be the same.
As he was leaving the club early Monday morning, he was punched one time in the face, knocking him to the ground. Police nearby said they heard the thud as Solis hit the ground. His jaw was shattered and his mother is speaking out.
In March a similar case at a neighboring bar cost 21 year old Nikolas Evans his life. He was similarly punched while leaving after a night of drinking. He never came to.
Although an arrest has been made in the Solis case, police think there may be other suspects out there. They do not believe 39 year old Kenneth Perkins is acting alone. In fact, they are withholding a mug shot because they plan on using it for photo lineups in similar cases.
In most cases like this, the assault is considered aggravated assault, a second degree felony. These charges can be punished by up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $10,000. In rare cases, the assault can be a first degree felony, punishable by up to life in prison.
Any assault charge is a life changing criminal charge. People facing serious assault offenses like this are often kept in jail until their court date. This can be an extremely stressful time.
Having an experienced attorney that understands the Texas criminal justice system like we do is an asset. If you are facing charges of assault, call us to discuss the details of your case today.