Suspect In Assault Of Brown University Student Waives Extradition
VERNON, Conn. (CBS/AP) — A man accused of critically injuring a Brown University basketball player with a sucker punch has waived extradition from Connecticut and is headed to Providence.
Vernon Police spokesman Lt. William Meier said Tory Lussier waived extradition in Rockville Superior Court on Thursday.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Laurie Kirby reports
Brown University Student Attacked
He was taken into custody Wednesday at his home in Vernon on a felony arrest warrant.
Police say Lussier hit Sharkey in the head on Sunday morning following an altercation.
During the extradition hearing, Lussier's lawyer attempted to paint a different picture then what police say happened.
"Mr. Lussier defended his friend," Sal Bonanno told the judge.
Bonanno says Sharkey and his friends were the aggressors, and that Lussier jumping in only to rescue an old Marine buddy.
"He saw a friend of his on the ground being severely beaten and he defended him. Isn't that what we'd want him to do?" Bonanno asked.
Lussier was out on bail over a different case. The part-time roofer, personal trainer, and community college student is charged in an alleged road rage incident from last September. Police say he and his brother pummeled a local firefighter and his elderly father. The older man was knocked unconscious.
Providence police say the 25-year-old Lussier is expected to be returned on Friday for an appearance in Providence District Court.
A spokesman for Rhode Island Hospital said Wednesday that 21-year-old Joseph Sharkey of Norwood, Mass., was in critical condition. The hospital did not return a call seeking updated information.
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