SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A San Francisco jury on Friday discovered a homeless man not responsible after being accused of utilizing a metallic pipe to beat a businessman who suffered a damaged jaw, fractured cranium and traumatic mind harm in an assault caught on video that fueled debate about crime and homelessness within the metropolis.
Garret Doty, 25, was charged with three assault and battery fees for the April 5 beating of Don Carmignani. Doty pleaded not responsible.
Prosecutors mentioned Doty beat Carmignani in an act of revenge. However Doty’s protection attorneys mentioned he was appearing in self-defense after Carmignani sprayed him with bear spray.
The assault on Carmignani, a businessman who served briefly on a Hearth Division fee, occurred two days after the stabbing loss of life of Money App founder Bob Lee.
Lee’s killing unleashed a wave of criticism towards metropolis officers by outstanding tech leaders. Among the many critics was tech billionaire Elon Musk, who took to Twitter to mourn Lee’s loss of life and blame San Francisco for what he referred to as town’s lax perspective towards crime. A tech marketing consultant is awaiting trial in Lee’s killing.
The assault on Carmignani fueled a story of a metropolis in chaos. However Doty’s protection legal professional argued Doty acted in self protection and launched surveillance video displaying Carmignani spraying Doty earlier than he started chasing him whereas wielding a metallic pipe.
Deputy Public Defender Kleigh Hathaway mentioned Carmignani had repeatedly doused unhoused individuals, together with Doty, with bear spray.
“Self-defense could be fierce, it may be efficient and it may be disabling,” Hathaway mentioned. “And why wouldn’t or not it’s? You’re preventing to your life.”
In closing arguments Tuesday, Assistant District Legal professional Kourtney Bell conceded that Carmignani had a historical past of aggression, saying that he might have used bear spray on unhoused individuals within the Marina District on no less than one event, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
A confrontation between Carmignani and Doty began after Doty and two others arrange tents exterior the house of Carmignani’s dad and mom, who dwell subsequent door to him within the upscale Marina District. Carmignani mentioned in an interview with KPIX-TV that he had requested Doty to maneuver away as a result of they had been blocking his mother or father’s entryway.
He mentioned he referred to as 911 however nobody responded, so he went out to speak to the homeless individuals. and that the one factor he had on him was pepper spray.
“I didn’t go on the market to battle anybody. I’m attempting to get them down the highway, go to the park,” Carmignani informed the tv station.