Brooklyn man indicted after knock out punch leaves cousin near death

"A Queens grand jury has indicted Jonathan Velez, 45, of Brooklyn, on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment in connection with an August attack on his cousin in Ozone Park. Prosecutors allege the violence unfolded on Rockaway Boulevard after the two men argued while returning from a birthday gathering. According to the indictment and investigation, Velez and his cousin, Manuel Rivera, 39, were traveling together in Rivera's vehicle during the early morning hours when the dispute turned physical."

"After the car was stopped along Rockaway Boulevard, Velez allegedly struck Rivera with a single punch that knocked him to the ground. Prosecutors say that while Rivera lay unconscious, Velez went through his cousin's pockets and rummaged through the vehicle before fleeing the scene. Rivera was left lying in the roadway. Minutes later, Rivera was struck by a passing vehicle and suffered catastrophic injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital with internal bleeding, a fractured skull and missing teeth. He remains hospitalized and unresponsive."

A Queens grand jury indicted Jonathan Velez, 45, of Brooklyn, on charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment related to an August attack on his cousin in Ozone Park. The incident allegedly occurred on Rockaway Boulevard after a dispute during a return from a birthday gathering; the two men were traveling together in the cousin's vehicle when the disagreement turned physical. Prosecutors allege Velez struck his cousin Manuel Rivera, 39, with a single punch that knocked him unconscious. Velez then allegedly rummaged through Rivera's pockets and the vehicle before fleeing, leaving Rivera lying in the roadway. Minutes later Rivera was struck by a passing vehicle and suffered catastrophic injuries, including internal bleeding, a fractured skull and missing teeth; he remains hospitalized and unresponsive. Velez was taken into custody in Kew Gardens, arraigned and ordered to return to court on March 9; if convicted he faces up to 25 years in prison. Any charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Read at Shore News Network