A third man has been charged for his alleged involvement in an assault in Ridgewood back in August that left one man in a coma.
According to police, Matthew Bernard, 24, of Norman Street, was arrested on Sept. 15 for his alleged role in the fight that took place at the intersection of Norman Street and Seneca Avenue at approximately 6 a.m. on the morning on Aug. 7.
According to the criminal complaint provided by Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s office, Bernard was walking with Orlando Marrero, 24, of Norman Street and Mel Bernard, 25, also of Norman Street — who were arrested on Aug. 11 and Aug. 28 respectively, for their alleged involvement in the brawl — and up to three other individuals when they approached the two victims and another unidentified individual, all of whom were carrying sticks.
Bernard’s group allegedly removed the sticks from the three individuals and began beating them with the sticks. They also punched and kicked the victims, police reported.
It is further alleged that Mel Bernard removed a gold chain off of one of the victims’ necks, while another individual removed a bracelet from one of the other victims’ wrist during the incident.
Officers from the 104th Precinct responded to incident. Two of the three attacked individuals were taken to a local hospital suffering multiple skull fractures; one of them also sustained bleeding to the brain, multiple seizures, and was in a coma.
Bernard has been charged with second-degree attempted murder; two counts of first-degree gang assault; two counts of first-degree assault; two counts of first-degree robbery; and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
A judge has issued a temporary order of protection against Bernard, and he is being held on $100,000 bond/$50,000 cash. He is due back in court on Sept. 25.
