Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com

Published - Saturday, September 22, 2007

Man smiles as assault charges are read to him

By Kevin Behr | Winona Daily News

A Winona man accused of beating a man unconscious on a Mankato Avenue sidewalk smiled as a judge read the charges against him in Winona County District Court on Friday.

Eddie Lamorris Jones, 22, was charged with felony assault causing substantial bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He was also hit with two misdemeanor assault charges for the assault that put a 31-year-old man in the trauma unit.

Jones was also charged Friday with felony domestic assault by strangulation in a separate incident.

According to police and court documents, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Mankato Avenue at 9:42 p.m. Sept. 5 on a report of a fight. When they arrived, they found a pool of blood on the sidewalk and a bloodied man on a bed in a nearby apartment. According to the complaint, one officer knew the victim from previous contact but couldn’t recognize him because of the bleeding and swelling.

A witness told the officer the victim came over to the apartment intoxicated and “had words” with Jones about the victim’s tattoo. The two went outside, and a few minutes later, the bloody victim returned.

Witnesses outside said Jones beat the victim with his hands and kicked him in the face while he was on the ground. Jones then left in a gold Buick. The unconscious victim required assisted breathing and was airlifted to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.

According to the domestic assault complaint, Jones choked the mother of his child after a fight about money on May 1. The woman was unable to breathe during the assault, and Jones threatened to kill her.

Assistant County Attorney Kevin O’Laughlin asked the judge to not grant any conditions for Jones’ release.

“He is an imminent danger to public safety,” O’Laughlin said. “He doesn’t seem to take these charges seriously. He’s smiling.”

Judge Mary Leahy set Jones’ unconditional bail at $150,000 and issued a specific order for him to not have any contact with his alleged victim if he posts bail.

She then asked Jones if he had anything to say.

“All this is falsified,” Jones replied. “That’s all I have to say.”

Jones will apply for a public defender and is scheduled to appear in court again Oct. 4.

Contact Kevin Behr at kbehr@winonadailynews.com or at (507) 453-3524.