A Riverdale, NJ man has pleaded not guilty to charges of attacking students at a Massachusetts college.
19-year-old Dillon DeStefano has been accused of punching fellow students at Endicott College. According to authorities, the attack occurred on the college campus where DeStefano was a sophomore.
Police said that one of the victims suffered a broken jaw that required titanium plates to repair. Police also indicated that another victim suffered a shattered eye socket that will require reconstructive surgery.
Prosecutors observed that the attacks appear similar to the kinds of attacks that occur in what is known as the “knockout game.” When playing the knockout game, groups of people randomly attack strangers and capture the attacks on cellphone cameras.
The police report indicates that DeStefano may not have had a motive for the attack. He was allegedly overheard bragging to others about punching other people for no particular reason.
Police believe that DeStefano may have attacked another man as well.
DeStefano was charged with aggravated assault and battery in Massachusetts.
Although police observed that DeStefano’s hand was red and swollen when they first confronted him, DeStefano has denied any involvement in the attack. He told police that his hand was swollen due to a weightlifting injury.
After DeStefano entered his not guilty plea, his parents attempted to secure his release from jail by posting $20,000 cash bail. However, the judge ordered DeStefano held pending an official hearing to determine whether he poses a danger to society.
For additional information about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “N.J. Man Pleads Not Guilty in Massachusetts College Campus Attacks.“
