By Tom Tracy
An indictment has been handed down against a Coney Island man implicated in one of the worst road rage attacks in the borough’s history. Kings County prosecutors confirmed Tuesday that John Goody, a resident of the 400 block of Neptune Avenue, had been indicted on charges of assault in the first degree for allegedly attacking Bay Ridge musician John Philippidis, 27, following a minor fender-bender on an exit ramp to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Officials said that Goody had been free on bail following his initial arraignment in November. Goody allegedly beat Philippidis so severely that the young Christian rocker needed to undergo several facial reconstructive surgeries. “He’s still in a lot of pain,” said Philippidis’ mother when contacted by this paper. “One of his muscles had detached from his eye, making him cross-eyed. He’s going to have to go for another operation. His attitude is good, but I feel bad that he has to go through all of this.” Of Goody, she said, “The only thing that goes through my mind is how one human being could have such little disregard for another human being.” “[Goody] needs mental help and I hope he gets it, because his next victim could be your sister, brother, mother or even dog.” The help that she believes Goody needs, however, should take place only after a prolonged jail sentence, she said. Goody, a security guard, is also facing charges in Queens for an assault he allegedly committed there. Prosecutors alleged that Goody attacked Philippidis at about 12:30 a.m. on November 16. Philippidis, friends said, was coming home from a late-night recording session. The two had pulled over to a spot near the corner of 3rd Avenue and 65th Street to exchange information where they began arguing, officials said. During their dispute, Goody allegedly pulled a baseball bat out of his car and lunged at Philippidis, striking him repeatedly, cops said. Goody’s car, a dark-colored 2005 Cadillac, was allegedly seen speeding away from the scene. Philippidis was left lying in the street with massive facial and head injuries. In their search for Goody’s Cadillac, cops discovered that a vehicle similar to the suspect’s had just received a summons for parking illegally in Bay Ridge. With the ticket, detectives were able to find Goody, who was taken into custody a few hours later without incident. He later confessed to the attack, sources allege.
