By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
ALBION — In what local police officials considered one of the worst attacks seen in the Village of Medina, Matthew A. Perez, 20, of Medina, was sentenced Monday for first-degree assault.
In June, Perez was charged with assaulting the victim and beating him with a large, metal fire poker.
Perez was sentenced to six months in Orleans County Jail and five years probation.
Before sentencing, District Attorney Joseph Cardone called the attack a “vicious assault” that has left the victim’s face scarred for the rest of his life.
Perez’s attorney, Shirley Gorman, said that her client was sincere in saying that he didn’t have the bar in his hand when he punched the victim. She said that he acted spontaneously and didn’t realize what he was doing. She said he also has no prior criminal history.
“I wish I never did it,” Perez told the court. “I wish I’d of controlled myself.”
Perez said that he began taking anger management classes on his own because he wanted to make a change.
“I want to be good now,” he said. “Get on the right track.”
Judge James Punch said that he took into account Perez’s age, criminal history and nature of the offense.
“I think it was a spur of the moment thing,” Punch said.
An order of protection was placed against Perez and he was ordered to pay $472 in restitution.
In other court cases:
• Anthony Lamar, 26, of Medina, was sentenced to six years in state prison and five years post-release supervision.
Assistant District Attorney John Sansone said that the defendant punched a victim while he was walking down the street, taking his wallet.
“These actions threaten every person who walks in the community,” Sansone said.
Lamar told the court that it was his co-defendant who committed this crime and that he did not touch the man, nor did he know that this was going to happen.
“You snuck up on this man with the intent to rob him,” Punch said. “If you think I’d ever sentence someone to probation for a crime like this, you’re mistaken.”
He said that the victim was kicked and beaten repeatedly and was left on the street. He also said he believed Lamar had not been honest.
• Edward M. Stevens, 40, of Albion, was sentenced on two counts of driving while intoxicated. Stevens was given the maximum one- to three-year state prison sentence on one count and one year in jail and $1,000 fine for the second count, to be served concurrently.
“I think you’re a danger to the people on the highway,” Punch said.
Stevens’ license was also suspended and he was ordered to take a victim panel class to witness the consequences of his actions.
• Christopher E. Doulin, 22, of Appleton, appeared in court on charges of first-degree robbery, third-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal possession. Doulin is accused of robbing the M&T; Bank in Lyndonville on Nov. 5. Based on Doulin’s criminal history, Cardone offered a plea bargain for the first count of first-degree robbery, with a sentence not to exceed 15 years. Doulin is due back in court March 15.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
