RBP
07-27-2012, 10:28 PM
An Alaska jury convicted a man of assault and robbery charges for knocking out then-7-year-old Am-Marie Martin with a punch, when she refused to give up her bike.
Byron Syvinski, 34, of Anchorage, was convicted on Wednesday of robbery and six counts of assault for the June 2011 incident.
He has been charged for punching Am-marie Martin in the head. She fell unconscious and he allegedly hit her several more times.
Martin, now 8-years-old, was present during the trial’s verdict but did not testify. Her family says it was to avoid her from experiencing more trauma.
According to KTVA CBS news, the vicious attack left Am-marie with skull fractures and a brain injury. She has since recovered, however her mother said her daughter still suffers from headaches and has difficulties reading and writing.
Police said Syvinski appeared to be delirious during his arrest. The defense said he was using bath salts at the time. But there was no trace of them in his system following the attack.
After the attack, a doctor confirmed the diagnosis of drug-induced psychosis, rejecting the idea that the defendant was suffering from a mental illness.
Earlier this week, Martin’s mother Andrea Dunwoody took the stand and told the jury about the events of June 5, 2011. Syvinski punched Martin twice in the head and took her pink bicycle, prosecutors said. He then hit her several more times and went through her pockets.
Neighbors held down the agitated Syvinski until police arrived.
In the course of the trial, the jury also learned that the day before the attack, Syvinski was taken to the Providence Alaska Medical Center's psychiatric unit threatening suicide, and was discharged with a diagnosis of insomnia.
After the verdict was handed down on Wednesday, Dunwoody said she planned to sue Syvinski for her daughter's hospital bills and was looking into suing the people responsible for Syvinski's release from protective custody.
Her daughter told reporters outside the courtroom that she was relieved to hear the guilty verdict.
Syninski never took the stand, and he faces up to 41 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 26.
Read more: http://globalgrind.com/news/brian-syvinski-an-marie-martin-bath-salts-knocks-out-7-year-old-steals-bike-details#ixzz21rfryH6n
Byron Syvinski, 34, of Anchorage, was convicted on Wednesday of robbery and six counts of assault for the June 2011 incident.
He has been charged for punching Am-marie Martin in the head. She fell unconscious and he allegedly hit her several more times.
Martin, now 8-years-old, was present during the trial’s verdict but did not testify. Her family says it was to avoid her from experiencing more trauma.
According to KTVA CBS news, the vicious attack left Am-marie with skull fractures and a brain injury. She has since recovered, however her mother said her daughter still suffers from headaches and has difficulties reading and writing.
Police said Syvinski appeared to be delirious during his arrest. The defense said he was using bath salts at the time. But there was no trace of them in his system following the attack.
After the attack, a doctor confirmed the diagnosis of drug-induced psychosis, rejecting the idea that the defendant was suffering from a mental illness.
Earlier this week, Martin’s mother Andrea Dunwoody took the stand and told the jury about the events of June 5, 2011. Syvinski punched Martin twice in the head and took her pink bicycle, prosecutors said. He then hit her several more times and went through her pockets.
Neighbors held down the agitated Syvinski until police arrived.
In the course of the trial, the jury also learned that the day before the attack, Syvinski was taken to the Providence Alaska Medical Center's psychiatric unit threatening suicide, and was discharged with a diagnosis of insomnia.
After the verdict was handed down on Wednesday, Dunwoody said she planned to sue Syvinski for her daughter's hospital bills and was looking into suing the people responsible for Syvinski's release from protective custody.
Her daughter told reporters outside the courtroom that she was relieved to hear the guilty verdict.
Syninski never took the stand, and he faces up to 41 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 26.
Read more: http://globalgrind.com/news/brian-syvinski-an-marie-martin-bath-salts-knocks-out-7-year-old-steals-bike-details#ixzz21rfryH6n