HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A West Hartford police officer is urging state lawmakers to impose tougher criminal penalties for sucker-punch attacks.
Officer Tom Nagle said his 18-year-old son Eric was violently assaulted last month while walking on his Massachusetts college campus and suffered a broken jaw.
Prosecutors in Massachusetts believe the sudden attack was inspired by the so-called “knockout game,” when assailants attempt to knock out random victims with a single punch and often place video of the assault online.
A bill discussed Tuesday by the General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee would make such attacks a Class D felony, punishable by one-to-five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
Nagle called such acts “vile and disgusting” and said the assailants are seeking a thrill yet causing the victim lifelong pain.
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