QUEENS, N.Y. — A former Wake Forest assistant basketball coach was convicted of assault Thursday after fatally punching a man in August 2018, WTVD reported.
Jamill Jones, 37, was accused of punching Sandor Szabo, 35, who then fell and hit his head on the concrete. He was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later.
[ PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Wake Forest assistant basketball coach charged in punching death resigns ]
Officials said Szabo knocked on Jones’ car door window in New York City, thinking it was his Uber. WTVD reported that when Szabo pounded on the window, he may have shattered it which startled Jones.
During the trial, witnesses said Szabo’s blood-alcohol level was five times the legal limit. They said he was in town for a wedding.
“The defendant, in this case, was in his car parking near his hotel when the victim appeared near the defendant’s vehicle, banged on the back and the rear window may have shattered,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “The defendant could have driven away from the scene or call 911. Instead, he retaliated by getting out of his car and punching the victim. This was a death that could have been avoided, sparing the victim’s family the loss of a loved one.”
Jones’ conviction was a misdemeanor. He faces up to one year in jail when he’s sentenced in March.
This browser does not support the video element.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- CMS among several school districts to cancel classes after severe storms hit region
- President Donald Trump to end busy week with Friday Charlotte visit
- Board rules against CMPD’s decision that officer-involved shooting was justified
- STORM DAMAGE: Gusty, strong winds could hamper cleanup efforts
- Massive storm damage in Matthews; fire chief convinced tornado touched down