HOUSTON – The man accused of attacking a woman in what may be part of the infamous "knockout game" faced a judge Monday morning, according to court documents.
Deputy constables chased down a man Thursday they said attacked a woman just outside Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston.
The assault at the corner of McKinney and La Branch streets was in broad daylight at the height of rush hour, and witnessed by dozens of people including John Nau, who was finishing up a construction job.
"I thought something was fishy. He hit that gal," said Nau. "He was skinny but, I can't believe she doesn't have something broke."
Investigators said the woman was leaving work with friends when a man, identified as Sidney St. Jules, walked up and punched her in the face. They said St. Jules, 24, ran but the assault was witnessed by two deputy constables who happened to be driving by.
Those deputies chased down St. Jules and with the help of other officers, cornered him.
"From Metro PD, to HPD, and everybody that responded with us. It's obviously rush hour traffic and getting vehicles and equipment through to the scene here," Precinct 1 Sgt. Bradley Sternberg said. "Everybody did a great job."
St. Jules, whom deputies said had an outstanding warrant, was to be charged Friday night with misdemeanor assault, in addition to felony evading arrest. He was held without bond Friday night.
"At this point, we have no idea what the motive behind this crime was, but if it turns out to be a hate crime, we'll pursue that as well," Jeff McShan, spokesperson for the Harris County District Attorney's Office, said.
His mother, Latricia St. Jules told KPRC2 reporter Joel Eisenbaum that her son allegedly suffers from schizophrenia and that is why he attacked the woman.
"He was not in his right mind. The only thing I can do at this point is get my child some help because that's what he needs." STORY-->http://bit.ly/2clInH4
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Monday, September 12, 2016
"He was not in his right mind. The only thing I can do at this point is get my child some help because that's what he needs." Latricia said.
VIDEO: Latricia St. Jules talks about her son after he appeared in court
St. Jules, later arrested, can be seen running in front of the patrol car.