Teen suspected of assaulting disabled man bound over

A teenager accused of assaulting a man with disabilities was bound over to circuit court Friday.

Michael Williams, 18, testified before Judge Gary A. Kamp that he was in the parking lot of his apartment building, 921 Hackberry St., early Sept. 3 when he was struck by someone, fell to the ground and blacked out.

Williams' friend, David Penny, said Alexander Harris was the one who struck the victim.

"He blind-sided Michael with a punch and proceeded to beat him," Penny testified.

Harris, 17, was charged with assault and a 16-year-old boy was cited into juvenile court in the attack.

Williams testified that before the beating, the two defendants teased him about his disability; the victim was born with half a right arm and leg.

Harris' charge was classified as a hate crime because the assault was motivated by Williams' disability.

Following the testimony, Kamp found probable cause in the case and ordered Harris to appear in circuit court at 9 a.m. Nov. 6 for arraignment.