A 17 YEAR OLD MAN IS CONVICTED OF ASSAULT

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 17 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of assaulting a Dean at the Bronx High School of Science last January.

Josue Lopez, of 2233 Hunter Avenue, was found guilty following a bench trial, of one count of Assault in the 3rd degree, for punching Evan Frankl, 30, in the face. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Harold Adler set sentencing for Monday, January 9, 2006 in Part T12. Lopez, an adjudicated youthful offender, is facing a maximum term of up to six months imprisonment.

The assault took place while Frankl, on patrol of the hallways, discovered Lopez smoking in a bathroom. When Lopez was asked to come to the Deans' office, he left the building. In an attempt to block Lopez from leaving the school grounds, Frankl stood in front of Lopez blocking his exit. Lopez punched the victim in the face and fled. The defendant was apprehended the following day when he reported to school. The victim was hospitalized for two days with a fractured left temporal bone, short termed hearing loss and temporary blurred vision.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan S. Strongin of the Trial Bureau is prosecuting this case.