Conviction in felony battery case

Historic City News reporters learned that a St Johns County jury convicted 28-year-old Joseph Darrell Daniels this evening, on charges of aggravated battery; a second-degree felony.

Daniels, who resides at 3541 Begonia Street in St Augustine, was arrested by St Augustine Police after a fight at a downtown bar on September 30, 2012. At about 1:30 a.m. that morning, police patrolman Samuel Panilag found the victim, bleeding from the mouth, in a parking lot near Hypolita Street, between Spanish Street and St George Street. The investigation revealed that Daniels jumped the victim when he attempted to intervene in a verbal argument between Daniels and another person.

According to Assistant State Attorneys Kelsey Bledsoe and Chris Ferebee, Daniels attacked the victim in this case — fracturing his jaw in 2 places, and, due to the severity of his injuries, requiring metal plates and screws be surgically implanted.

Daniels was represented by defense counsel, Jill Barger. Circuit Judge Alexander Christine, Jr. presided.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.