By Cris Italia and Joseph Kellard
The 23-year-old Oceanside native got involved in an argument with Jose A. Cardona, 25, of Long Beach, when their heated words escalated into a physical altercation in which Cardona struck the victim several times with his fists about the head and face, Fourth Precinct police reported.
Montego Bay security personnel restrained Cardona, but another patron, Melvin Lindsey, 30, also of Long Beach, allegedly and struck the victim on the left side of his head with a beer bottle, causing a "puncture wound on the top of his lip."
Following the incident, which occurred about 2 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, Cardona and Lindsey were held by security until police arrived to arrest them. The victim was transported by a police ambulance to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, where he was admitted in stable condition.
Cardona was charged with one count of third-degree assault, and Lindsey with one count of second-degree assault.
According to Montego Bay General Manager Billy Crandell, the incident was brought under control within seconds. "The suspect struck the victim, [and] he was on the floor when we got there," he said. "We held and questioned the suspect, He admitted to hitting the victim."
When asked why Cardona hit the victim, police said he claimed to have been hit first. Cardona's attorney, Michael DerGarabedian said, "this is a self-defense case. The victim started the altercation -- apparently there was a little ass-grabbing with a girl -- and my client told the victim to stop, they started to argue and my client was struck."
DerGarabedian added that his client was arrested only because the victim was on the floor. He also believes that Cardona and Lindsey may not be acquainted. "My client might not even know Mr. Lindsey," DerGarabedian said. "Matter of fact, he was arrested away from the incident."
According to the nightclub's general manager, witnesses pointed out Lindsey. "We didn't see him throw a bottle or hit the victim with the bottle," Crandell said. "In fact, we didn't find any shattered glass in the area or even a broken bottle, so we don't know if he had any involvement at all."
In addition, DerGarabedian feels that the victim and his friends fed police a fabricated story. "This will all be taken care of in court. Justice will work this all out," he said.
The Oceanside victim declined to comment. Both suspects were expected to appear in court this week to enter their pleas.
