A 33-year-old Greenville man is facing a felony charge and two misdemeanor assault charges after Pitt County authorities say he attacked two different men in separate incidents just three days apart, leaving one victim with facial fractures and ongoing vision loss that required emergency surgery.
Matthew Russell was charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury and misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury, according to court records cited by wcti12.com. The felony charge stems from an Oct. 9 incident at 1400 Charles Boulevard in Greenville, where police say Russell was a suspect in an assault that happened that Friday.
According to a magistrate’s order, the victim in that incident approached Russell after seeing him on his knees, and Russell punched the man in the face multiple times, per police. The same magistrate’s order states the victim suffered a fractured cheek and fractured orbital bone, foggy vision, and continued loss of sight that required emergency surgery, according to court records.
Second Assault Reported Days Later Near Ficklen Street
A separate case followed just three days later. Law enforcement responded to the area of Ficklen Street and S. Pitt Street on Oct. 12 after a verbal altercation escalated into violence, the report notes.
A magistrate’s order from that incident says Russell punched the victim in the face and head with a closed fist, causing swelling beneath the man’s left eye and to his nose. That victim was also taken to the hospital, according to police.
Russell is held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, as reported by WITN. Police say Russell is homeless, and investigators have not found a connection between Russell and the victims in either case.
What the Felony Charge Means Under State Law
The more serious of the two charges, felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury, carries weight under North Carolina law. Per the North Carolina General Assembly, a person who assaults another and inflicts serious bodily injury is guilty of a Class F felony, unless another law provides for greater punishment.
The Greenville Police Department’s investigation into both incidents led to Russell’s arrest, according to court records cited in the initial report. No further details on Russell’s legal representation, his plea, or a response from either victim were available in the records reviewed.
