Current:Home > ScamsSan Francisco jury finds homeless man not guilty in beating of businessman left with brain injury -FutureFinance
San Francisco jury finds homeless man not guilty in beating of businessman left with brain injury
View
Date:2025-04-14 13:03:59
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A San Francisco jury on Friday found a homeless man not guilty after being accused of using a metal pipe to beat a businessman who suffered a broken jaw, fractured skull and traumatic brain injury in an attack caught on video that fueled debate about crime and homelessness in the city.
Garret Doty, 25, was charged with three assault and battery charges for the April 5 beating of Don Carmignani. Doty pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors said Doty beat Carmignani in an act of revenge. But Doty’s defense attorneys said he was acting in self-defense after Carmignani sprayed him with bear spray.
The attack on Carmignani, a businessman who served briefly on a Fire Department commission, happened two days after the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee.
Lee’s killing unleashed a wave of criticism against city officials by prominent tech leaders. Among the critics was tech billionaire Elon Musk, who took to Twitter to mourn Lee’s death and blame San Francisco for what he called the city’s lax attitude toward crime. A tech consultant is awaiting trial in Lee’s killing.
The attack on Carmignani fueled a narrative of a city in chaos. But Doty’s defense attorney argued Doty acted in self defense and released surveillance video showing Carmignani spraying Doty before he began chasing him while wielding a metal pipe.
Deputy Public Defender Kleigh Hathaway said Carmignani had repeatedly doused unhoused people, including Doty, with bear spray.
“Self-defense can be fierce, it can be effective and it can be disabling,” Hathaway said. “And why wouldn’t it be? You’re fighting for your life.”
In closing arguments Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Kourtney Bell conceded that Carmignani had a history of aggression, saying that he may have used bear spray on unhoused people in the Marina District on at least one occasion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
A confrontation between Carmignani and Doty started after Doty and two others set up tents outside the home of Carmignani’s parents, who live next door to him in the upscale Marina District. Carmignani said in an interview with KPIX-TV that he had asked Doty to move away because they were blocking his parent’s entryway.
He said he called 911 but no one responded, so he went out to talk to the homeless people. and that the only thing he had on him was pepper spray.
“I didn’t go out there to fight anyone. I’m trying to get them down the road, go to the park,” Carmignani told the television station.
veryGood! (77545)
Related
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Workers sue Disney claiming they were fraudulently induced to move to Florida from California
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Straight A's
- Lionel Messi's breakthrough assist caps Argentina's win vs. Canada in Copa America opener
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- TikToker Has Internet Divided After Saying She Charged Fellow Mom Expenses for Daughter's Playdate
- Former mayor of South Dakota town pleads not guilty in triple homicide case
- Krispy Kreme giving away free doughnuts on July 4 to customers in red, white and blue
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Jennifer Lopez Hustles for the Best Selfie During Italian Vacation Without Ben Affleck
Ranking
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Luke Combs Tearfully Reveals Why He Missed the Birth of Son Beau
- Traveling exhibit details life of Andrew Young, diplomat, civil rights icon
- Shuttered Detroit-area power plant demolished by explosives, sending dust and flames into the air
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Ryan Murphy makes Olympic trials history with 100, 200 backstroke sweep
- South Carolina governor visiting Germany, a major driver of the state’s economy
- Walmart is shifting to digital prices across the chain's 2,300 stores. Here's why.
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
The fight for abortion rights gets an unlikely messenger in swing state Pennsylvania: Sen. Bob Casey
Social platform X decides to hide 'likes' after updating policy to allow porn
Judge rules that New York state prisons violate solitary confinement rules
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
McDonald's unveils new $5 meal deal coming this summer, as franchise focuses on 'value'
North Carolina governor vetoes masks bill largely due to provision about campaign finance
Hawaii settles climate change lawsuit filed by youth plaintiffs