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Vernon Hill man convicted for role in fight
By ANDREW BOWLER/Star-Tribune Staff Writer
Monday, July 21, 2008 3:18 PM EDT
A Vernon Hill man was found guilty Monday in Pittsylvania County Circuit Court for his role in a fight.
Shaun Maurice Poke, 29, of 656 Peytonsburg Road, assaulted John Richard Mattox at B.B.'s Place, a bar and restaurant on Markham Road in Gretna.
While Judge Charles Strauss found him guilty, the judge will ponder over whether to convict Poke of malicious wounding, unlawful wounding or assault and battery until the defendant's sentencing on Sept. 9 at 8:30 a.m.
According to Adams, the incident occurred on Sept. 23, 2007 after Mattox's band finished playing at B.B.'s.
Mattox, the drummer, was outside with his girlfriend Angela Hutcherson when another man grabbed Hutcherson chest, angering Mattox, the prosecutor said.
Adams said Mattox then confronted the man, but the man pushed Mattox down and attacked him with help from two or three other men.
Poke was convicted of being one of the men involved in the fight.
Mattox said he suffered two fractured vertebrae and injuries to his kidneys, head, arm and side.
Casker said his client had no prior knowledge of Mattox's back injuries, meaning they had no malicious intent.
Casker said Poke should be convicted on one of the lesser charges.
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