Archive for Saturday, September 6, 2003
Fight draws 6-month sentence
September 6, 2003
Advertisement
A Lawrence man accused of hitting two fraternity brothers during a Dec. 6 altercation outside the Replay Lounge was sentenced Friday to six months in the Douglas County Jail.
Douglas County District Judge Michael Malone also ordered 31-year-old John Thomas Simmons to pay $870.55, the amount needed to cover one of his victim's medical bills.
During the 20-minute hearing, Malone said after reviewing Simmons' record it had become "obvious" that Simmons was an alcoholic who "tends to hurt people in a criminal way" when he's intoxicated.
Malone scolded Simmons for showing up drunk for a meeting with a court service officer. Simmons admitted he had made mistakes but said he hadn't had a drink "for several weeks."
Simmons was drunk the night he hit Phi Kappa Theta fraternity members Marty McSorley and Ryan McAtee because he assumed they had beaten up his friend Jeffrey Medis, who was lying unconscious on the sidewalk in a pool of blood.
6News video: Judge hands down sentence for bar brawl
Suspect charged in beating gay man (08-15-2003)Testimony later indicated that McSorley and McAtee were not directly involved in the assault on Medis.
Prosecutors last month filed misdemeanor assault charges against Lucas Wells, of Wamego, accusing him of hitting Medis. A hearing date has not been set.
Wells is a friend of a fraternity brother of McSorley's and McAtee's.
During the altercation, Medis, who is openly gay, suffered a concussion, a broken nose, broken upper and lower jaws, a fractured eye socket and a gash on his chin that took six stitches to close.
Medis, who recently moved to Oakland, Calif., has called the attack a hate crime.
"I can only say good things about Thomas (Simmons)," Medis said by phone Friday. "He's my best friend."
Malone said he was willing to consider work-release for Simmons -- but not right away.
"I want him to think about what he's done," he said.
Simmons was found not guilty of hitting fraternity members Nikolaus Eichman and Bill Roe.
After the hearing, Simmons was taken into custody.
Top ads RSS
- TELESALES REPRESENTATIVE T he World Company, a fast-paced, multi-media organization, ...
- STRATEGIC PLANNER Topeka Transit is seeking a professional strategic planner. ...
- FOSTER CARE WORKER The Shelter, Inc. is seeking to hire ...
- Curriculum Specialist The GCSAA Professional Development Department is looking for ...
- IRRIGATION TECHNICIAN Full/part time, 785-218-5277 Experience Required
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Tiahrt's plan to repeal federal stimulus would deepen state budget cuts July 9, 2009 · 21 comments
- Secular freedom July 9, 2009 · 130 comments
- Police surround Jayhawk Motel, apprehend juvenile robbery suspect July 9, 2009 · 65 comments
- Blog: Everybody Knows A Henry July 9, 2009 · 27 comments
- Blog: Songs With The Name Of A State Or City In Their Title Or Lyrics July 7, 2009 · 225 comments
- Budget crisis felt deeply at KU July 9, 2009 · 55 comments
- Donor ready to write Lawrence schools a check for new locker rooms at Free State — but there's a catch July 9, 2009 · 24 comments
- Round Corner Drug, Cheese Shoppe closes July 8, 2009 · 109 comments
- Eudora retirement home residents' complaints prompt two-day inspection by state July 9, 2009 · 5 comments
- Nation of faith July 8, 2009 · 100 comments
- More than 2,750 turn out for community workout July 8, 2009
- Round Corner Drug, Cheese Shoppe closes July 8, 2009
- Police surround Jayhawk Motel, apprehend juvenile robbery suspect July 9, 2009
- Donor ready to write Lawrence schools a check for new locker rooms at Free State — but there's a catch July 9, 2009
- Lawrence Arts Center director announces resignation July 8, 2009
- North Lawrence intersection poised for reconstruction July 8, 2009
- Kansas education secretary nominated for federal job July 7, 2009
- New cardiovascular director hired at KU July 9, 2009
- Rest for the weary July 9, 2009
- Make a financial master list for your will July 9, 2009
Post a comment
Comments are disabled on this story.
Post a blog entry
You have to be logged in to blog on LJWorld.com. Please log in or sign up.
Learn more about blogging on LJWorld.com.