“Whoever did that, I hope they suffer for it.”
Deaf Man Almost Stabbed To Death By Drunk Thug For Using Sign Language
Re-printed from a story at WGHP Channel 8 on January 10th 2013
A handicapped man is almost killed by a drunk felon who mistook the man for a rival gang member.
BURLINGTON, N.C. — A suspect has been charged with stabbing a handicapped man in an assault that occurred Wednesday night in Burlington.
Robert Jarell Neal, 22, is charged with felony assault on a handicapped person and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
According to police, officers responded shortly after 5 p.m. to a call for assistance at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Miller Street.
Police say responders found Terrance Ervin Daniels, 45, in the grass at the intersection suffering from multiple stab wounds.
The victim had been involved in an altercation that occurred on East Morehead Street before he walked to the intersection where he was found, police said.
Burlington Police Captain Steve Smith says they are investigating indications that the victim’s use of sign language may have confused or upset the attacker. “We are looking into whether or not the suspect thought the sign language was gang signs being displayed.”
Cpt. Smith specified it was a working theory, not a confirmed motive.
Police were were planning to interview the victim at the hospital as soon as possible. Daniels was initially taken to Alamance Regional Medical Center for treatment, but he was transferred to UNC Chapel Hill Hospital.
He had surgery and is in stable condition as of 3 PM. Thursday, January 10th 2013, according to Burlington Police Cpl. Kevin King.
Several people who live near Maple Street say they saw Daniels attacked.
“My voice is gone from me screaming, ‘Stop, stop, leave that man alone,” said Candace Gerrington through tears Thursday.
She said Daniels was trying to defend himself, “Throwing his hands up like this. Next thing I saw was somebody stabbing and grinding him,” recalled Gerringon.
Gerrington also knows the suspect, and says she saw Neal with a knife moments before the stabbing.
Mary Latta also lives nearby and saw Daniels after he’d been stabbed. “He was stabbed all around his body, his hands and face were cut up,” she described. “It was bad.”
Jack Myatt has lived in the area for more than thirty years. “It amazes me,” he said, shaking his head. “Bad people would rather stay up all night and hunt trouble than to take a job! A legitimate job.”
Latta added, “Whoever did that, I hope they suffer for it.”
Police say they took the Robert Neal into custody in Elon around 12:15 AM Thursday, January 10th 2013, after obtaining a warrant for his arrest.
Neal is being held under a $500,000 secured bond in the Alamance County Detention Facility.
Neal’s criminal history includes 3 Assaults on a Female, Assault with Intent to Kill, two counts of Communicating Threats, DWI/OVI, Injury to Real Property, Vandalism and Resisting Arrest and Obstruction/Falsification.
Police are still investigating and ask that anyone with further information would call them at (336) 229-3500.
UPDATE 05/2014:
Robert Jarell Neal pled guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and was sentenced to a minimum of six years and a maximum of eight years, three months in prison.
His victim, Terrance Ervin Daniels, had recently been injured in a traffic accident and couldn’t get away before Neal stabbed him multiple times, causing serious internal injuries that required surgery.
References:
WGHP Channel 8, Deaf Man Stabbed, Sign Language Confusion Could Be To Blame
WXXI Channel 12, Burlington Man Stabbed After Sign Language Mistaken For Gang Signs
Re-printed from a story at WGHP Channel 8 on January 10th 2013
A handicapped man is almost killed by a drunk felon who mistook the man for a rival gang member.
BURLINGTON, N.C. — A suspect has been charged with stabbing a handicapped man in an assault that occurred Wednesday night in Burlington.
Robert Jarell Neal, 22, is charged with felony assault on a handicapped person and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
According to police, officers responded shortly after 5 p.m. to a call for assistance at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Miller Street.
Police say responders found Terrance Ervin Daniels, 45, in the grass at the intersection suffering from multiple stab wounds.
The victim had been involved in an altercation that occurred on East Morehead Street before he walked to the intersection where he was found, police said.
Burlington Police Captain Steve Smith says they are investigating indications that the victim’s use of sign language may have confused or upset the attacker. “We are looking into whether or not the suspect thought the sign language was gang signs being displayed.”
Cpt. Smith specified it was a working theory, not a confirmed motive.
Police were were planning to interview the victim at the hospital as soon as possible. Daniels was initially taken to Alamance Regional Medical Center for treatment, but he was transferred to UNC Chapel Hill Hospital.
He had surgery and is in stable condition as of 3 PM. Thursday, January 10th 2013, according to Burlington Police Cpl. Kevin King.
Several people who live near Maple Street say they saw Daniels attacked.
“My voice is gone from me screaming, ‘Stop, stop, leave that man alone,” said Candace Gerrington through tears Thursday.
She said Daniels was trying to defend himself, “Throwing his hands up like this. Next thing I saw was somebody stabbing and grinding him,” recalled Gerringon.
Gerrington also knows the suspect, and says she saw Neal with a knife moments before the stabbing.
Mary Latta also lives nearby and saw Daniels after he’d been stabbed. “He was stabbed all around his body, his hands and face were cut up,” she described. “It was bad.”
Jack Myatt has lived in the area for more than thirty years. “It amazes me,” he said, shaking his head. “Bad people would rather stay up all night and hunt trouble than to take a job! A legitimate job.”
Latta added, “Whoever did that, I hope they suffer for it.”
Police say they took the Robert Neal into custody in Elon around 12:15 AM Thursday, January 10th 2013, after obtaining a warrant for his arrest.
Neal is being held under a $500,000 secured bond in the Alamance County Detention Facility.
Neal’s criminal history includes 3 Assaults on a Female, Assault with Intent to Kill, two counts of Communicating Threats, DWI/OVI, Injury to Real Property, Vandalism and Resisting Arrest and Obstruction/Falsification.
Police are still investigating and ask that anyone with further information would call them at (336) 229-3500.
UPDATE 05/2014:
Robert Jarell Neal pled guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and was sentenced to a minimum of six years and a maximum of eight years, three months in prison.
His victim, Terrance Ervin Daniels, had recently been injured in a traffic accident and couldn’t get away before Neal stabbed him multiple times, causing serious internal injuries that required surgery.
References:
WGHP Channel 8, Deaf Man Stabbed, Sign Language Confusion Could Be To Blame
WXXI Channel 12, Burlington Man Stabbed After Sign Language Mistaken For Gang Signs
