The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida landlord was arrested after the authorities alleged he brutally assaulted a tenant who returned home following a hospital stay, leaving the victim with multiple facial fractures and other serious injuries.
According to police, officers had responded to the residence the previous day after the landlord reported that the tenant was damaging the property. During that encounter, the tenant was taken to a medical facility for an evaluation to see if he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Before officers left the property, the landlord allegedly warned that he intended to kill the tenant if he came back. After officers advised that such an act would result in prison, he allegedly responded that he would instead severely beat the tenant. Police warned him that doing so would also lead to arrest.
After being released from the hospital, the tenant returned to the home and discovered the property’s entry code had reportedly been changed. As he attempted to get inside, the landlord allegedly confronted him and repeatedly punched him until he lost consciousness.
The tenant later told investigators that he regained consciousness while lying on the ground and found the landlord continuing the attack by striking him in the back of the head. He also alleged the landlord choked him until he blacked out a second time. After waking again, he left the property because he could not reenter the residence and eventually wandered to a nearby convenience store.
Employees at the store contacted police after noticing the injured man remained there for an extended period. Responding officers recognized him from the earlier landlord-tenant dispute and obtained a sworn statement before he was transported to a hospital. Medical personnel reportedly diagnosed him with a fractured eye socket and multiple nasal fractures.
Detectives later determined there was probable cause to arrest the landlord on a felony battery charge. He was booked into jail and released after posting a $15,000 bond.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.