Lesser Charge Could Be Considered In Long Island Man's Fatal Beating: Report

RIVERSIDE, NY —A jury hearing testimony in the trial of a bar bouncer accused of dealing fatal blows to a bar patron could consider a lesser charge if they cannot agree to convict him of manslaughter, Newsday reported.

Jurors could consider convicting Cruz of third-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor with a sentence of up to a maximum of a year of incarceration, as opposed to up to 25 years for first-degree manslaughter, the outlet reported.

“If [the jury determines] that the defendant is guilty of manslaughter in the first degree, they do not go forward to consider assault,” Judge John Collins said.

Cruz, 32, is accused of causing the death of Jake Scott, 32, of Centereach, who succumbed to his injuries 10 days after he was beaten outside of Tailgaters in Holbrook last summer.

For more in Newsday, click here.