Posted on 10/14/2004 8:37:22 AM PDT by flutters
DELAWARE, Ohio — The man accused of attacking a U.S. soldier at a concert last month was indicted yesterday on a charge of felonious assault in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.
A grand jury found that Brent N. Cornwell, 28, of Blacklick, "did knowingly cause serious physical harm" to Army Pfc. Foster Barton on Sept. 17, according to the indictment.
Last week, Delaware Municipal Court Judge David Sunderman dismissed an assault charge after Cornwell’s arrest Sept. 28 so it could be refiled in Common Pleas Court, where felony cases are heard. The case will now be heard by Judge W. Duncan Whitney. An arraignment date has not yet been set.
Barton, 19, of Grove City, was knocked unconscious while walking to his car after a Toby Keith concert at Germain Amphitheater. He suffered a broken nose and is recovering from surgery to repair crushed cartilage.
The attack happened while Barton, a member of the Army’s 1 st Calvary Division, was home on a two-week leave from Iraq. He was recovering from a leg wound caused by a bomb.
Barton has said he was attacked in the parking lot after the concert. He wore an Operation Iraqi Freedom Tshirt, and said he heard his attacker say something derogatory about soldiers before he was struck.
Cornwell’s attorney, William Meeks of Columbus, did not return a phone message left yesterday at his office.
If convicted of the crime, Cornwell’s punishment ranges from two to eight years in prison, said Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost.
"Felonious assault is the right charge when you have serious physical harm," Yost said. "In this case, the victim had to undergo surgery to repair his broken nose. He lost consciousness and suffered a concussion."
Yost is handling the case personally. In recent meetings, the soldier told Yost that his "No. 1 desire is to get back to Iraq," where his unit remains stationed.
Barton needs his doctor’s approval before he can return, Yost said.
Somebody pointed this out before. He should have been charged with a hate crime.
Only 300 pounds?
Only syphilis?
Note to thug: check the last phrase of Numbers 32:23 while you're in the cell.
Well, I'm not totally without mercy for this rotten piece of RAT sh!t.
Yeah! For the whole 8 years!
I'd recommend we pull #24. I'd love for this young man to receive hundreds of cards from FREEPERS, but we all know who else monitors this site.
Whenever I first read about this, I wish I could have taken the poor guy's place. I'm an active duty Soldier - and a full-sized man. I get the feeling this turd beat up on a smaller guy.
Where are turds like that when I stroll around with my symbols of pride on display?
I don't go around looking for trouble, but I promise you that anybody tries pulling this on me - or anyone else in my vicinity - they're gonna get their ass handed to 'em.
Cowards. Bring it!
Sounds like a great idea.
I received permission from Foster Barton to post his name and address when this story first broke. I explained where the address would be posted and that it was a public forum. At last count, Foster received over 300 cards and letters from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska.
God bless you and thank you for your service.
Then I gladly stand corrected!
FReepers are the best!
Looks like a natural lifer to me.
Now who do you suppose is paying for that? Does the perp have a lot of money?
And do you know the lawyer's name?
Duh! In the article. Never mind :)
GOOD!! 'Bout time!! Hope he gets the max!!
Its in the article. Bill Meeks.
If there is a high profile criminal case in the Columbus area, you will see a handfull of attorneys on the case. Terry Sherman, Sam Weiner, Bill Meeks and a couple of others whose name escape me at the moment. Meeks (I think) is a former Franklin County prosecuter who uses his connections and knowledge of the local system very well.
The "bad haircut" comment was half in jest. He does have a '70s, over the ears, forehead bangs haircut that seems very odd in the 21st century.
Does the perp come from money? If not, does Meeks do pro bono work?
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