Syracuse Man Found Guilty Of Battery In One-Day Jury Trial
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A Syracuse man was found guilty of battering a man at the Time Out Inn in Warsaw during a one-day jury trial.
Jeromie Lee Bright, 42, 804 Mill St., Syracuse, was found guilty of battery by means of a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony.
The jury trial took place on Wednesday, April 6, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek represented the state of Indiana in the case; Christopher Stidham and Heidi Cortez are Bright’s defense attorneys.
On May 6, 2021, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a report of battery occurring at the Time Out Inn. Upon arrival, the officer saw four people near one of the business’s entrances. One of the people was sitting on the curb, rubbing his right wrist.
According to court documents, the man had visible abrasions and cuts on his right wrist and knuckles. The man said he was leaving Time Out Inn in his vehicle when Bright pulled up in a vehicle and almost caused a collision. Bright exited his vehicle while holding a lanyard-like rope item in his hand.
The man said Bright rushed him with a rope that had a hard ball at the end of it. He said he attempted to block the strikes and pinned Bright to the ground. The officer noticed the man had injuries to his right elbow, right wrist and the knuckles on his left hand.
A short time after the altercation, officers found Bright in the Kosciusko County Jail parking lot. During the initial contact, officers noticed a weapon commonly known as a “monkey fist” on the passenger seat of Bright’s vehicle. A “monkey fist” is a weapon wielded like a club and is readily capable of causing serious injury.
Bright told officers he had been out looking for his girlfriend and had been traveling to several local bars. He said he had suspicions about the man being involved with his girlfriend and that he became angry when he saw the man leave Time Out Inn.
Bright said there was a verbal exchange, resulting in the man tackling him first and that neither party threw any punches. He admitted to having the “monkey fist” on him during the altercation because he believed the man had a firearm, leading him to arm himself with the weapon. The officer did not notice any injuries on Bright.
Following the jury’s verdict, Bright was remanded to the custody of the sheriff. Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. May 9, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.