Bills beyond reach of beating victim

Expenses expected to top $10,000; no charges filed in December assault

A gay man who suffered two broken jaws, a broken nose and fractured eye socket during a beating last month says his medical bills will be at least $10,000.

“I’m still getting bills every day,” said Jeffrey Medis, 28. “Just the surgery on my jaws — when they wired them shut — was $3,000. And they’re not through with me.”

Medis said he wouldn’t be surprised if his bills reached $15,000. He does not have health insurance.

He was assaulted Dec. 9 outside Replay Lounge, 946 Mass.

Because Medis is gay and the assault was unprovoked, he and others assumed he was the victim of a hate crime.

Lawrence police on Dec. 24 said their investigation found no evidence of Medis’ homosexuality being a factor in the attack. As yet, police have not filed their findings with Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney, who will decide whether to charge Medis’ assailant.

Police spokesmen were unavailable for comment Tuesday. The suspected assailant’s identity has not been released.

Though Medis praised police for their handling of the investigation, he said he was frustrated by the report taking so long to reach Kenney’s office.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Bottleneck, 737 N.H. Featured bands will be Rob Mount Joy, Emma Feel, Vibralux, Pathos, and The Couch. Suggested donation is $10.All funds raised will be used to pay Medis’ medical bills. Donations may be sent to “Plan Z Account,” Free State Credit Union, 901 Iowa, Lawrence 66044.

A fund-raiser for Medis is planned for Saturday night at The Bottleneck, 737 N.H.

“We’re doing this because Jeffrey is who he is — a lot of people know him,” said Jericho van de Velde, who is organizing the event. “In his own way, he represents the diversity and the culture that is Lawrence.”

Van de Velde said he didn’t care whether the assault fit the definition of a hate crime.

“Any crime of violence is a hate crime; that’s the way I look at it,” he said.

Medis said he was taken aback by the emotional and financial support he had received since the attack.

“I never would have imagined the amount of the support that’s been shown to me by my friends and by so many people I don’t even know,” he said. “It’s been incredible; it’s made me proud to live in Lawrence.”