Springfield man charged in Ridley bar assault

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP >> A Springfield man is facing felony aggravated assault and related offenses after he allegedly punched and broke a man’s nose during a confrontation in a township bar.

Joseph Hansell, 32, of State Road, surrendered Nov. 5 on the charges in connection with the Oct. 28 incident, his defense attorney, Michael Dugan, said Friday.

In reporting the incident to police on Oct. 29, the victim said he was assaulted sometime between 4-5 p.m. on Oct. 28 by an individual he did not know, but was later identified through a friend as Hansell, states the affidavit authored by township Police Detective Shawn McGee.

The victim said he was at the bar with friends when he was approached by a man asking if he could speak with him over by the pool table.

“I think you owe my wife an apology,” the man said to the victim, according to the affidavit.

Acknowledging that he was confused given that he did not recognize the man or his wife, the victim then asked the man for what he specifically needed to apologize.

“Don’t f—- around. This is going to go one of two ways,” the victim said the man responded, the affidavit states.

The victim told police that as he turned his back to walk away, the man struck him with a closed fist on his nose. As he was in the bathroom cleaning his bloody nose, the victim realized his nose was broken and had to go to the hospital.

According to the affidavit, the victim spent five hours in the emergency room at Taylor Hospital. He also told police that he saw a specialist who indicated the injury requires surgery.

As part of the investigation, police obtained and reviewed video from the bar. According to the affidavit, the video shows Hansell and the victim standing next to a pool table talking.

“Without any physical provocation, the defendant is observed punching the victim in the face using a closed fist. The victim appears to be seriously injured and walks away, leaving behind a trail of blood,” the affidavit states.

Video reportedly also shows that Hansell followed after the victim, but was stopped by other bar patrons.

“The defendant is then observed fighting with the bar patron that intervened,” the affidavit states.

A warrant for Hansell’s arrest was signed on Nov. 2. Hansell was accompanied by his attorney when he surrendered on the charges on Nov. 5, Dugan said.

Dugan declined to comment on the allegations against his client.

In addition to felony aggravated assault, Hansell is charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct involving fighting. He remains free on bail, which was set at 10 percent of $25,000.

A preliminary hearing is listed for Nov. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Vincent D. Gallagher Jr.