Homeless Man with No Arms Exonerated from Stabbing Tourist

August 27, 2022 Don Pumphrey, Jr. Criminal Defense, News & Announcements, Violent Crimes Social Share

The internet has gone wild over a mug shot of a Florida man who was arrested after stabbing a man with a pair of scissors. However, this is not a typical stabbing—51-year-old Jonathan Dale Crenshaw has no arms.

Although the case originally happened in 2018, the story went viral again after Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports posted a video on Twitter and TikTok displaying his own interaction with Crenshaw. In 2020, Portnoy had been giving reviews of a local pizza restaurant in South Beach when Crenshaw appeared in the background of the video. Crenshaw added his own thoughts to the video: “And don’t forget to give it to a crack addict,” he’s recorded saying.

The video has gained over 12 million views on TikTok, and has caused Crenshaw’s criminal case of aggravated battery to resurface. We will cover the details of the case, as well as the outcome of Crenshaw’s trial.

What was the Incident?

In July 2018, 22-year-old Cesar Coronado was visiting South Florida from Chicago. Coronado stopped in front of Crenshaw to ask the artist for directions. Crenshaw responded by grabbing a pair of scissors and stabbing Coronado in the arm. After that, the armless homeless artist ran off.

Police later found Crenshaw and questioned him about the incident. Crenshaw claimed that he was lying down when a man came up and started punching him in the head. Crenshaw said he had to pull out the scissors and stab the man in self-defense.

Coronado told NBC 6, “I’m not from here, and this is not what I came for. I came for vacation.” When he was asked about punching Crenshaw first Coronado responded, “Why would I go and attack someone else? No, no, I wouldn’t do that.”

Police arrested Crenshaw and charged him with aggravated battery. When he finally went to trial in 2021, the jury found Crenshaw not guilty. He has since been exonerated of the aggravated battery charges.

This was not Crenshaw’s first run-in with the police. He had been arrested for multiple offenses in Florida, ranging from possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, and battery.

Aggravated Battery in Florida

Aggravated battery is a more serious charge than the typical misdemeanor charge of battery. Under Florida Statute section 784.045, aggravated battery occurs when someone is physically violent with a victim which results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement.

Even if you did not physically hit someone with your hands, you can still be charged with aggravated battery. The most common aggravated battery charge occurs when the defendant used a deadly weapon against the alleged victim. A weapon can be any type of item that is likely to cause great bodily harm or death to another person.

Under Florida law, aggravated battery is considered a second-degree felony, which is punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison. Along with these penalties, there is also the stigma of being considered an extremely violent person. A guilty conviction can make it difficult for finding a job or house in the future.

To read more about the different types of battery and potential defenses, find our page here.

Finding a Defense Attorney in Tallahassee, Florida

If you or a loved one has been accused of aggravated battery, make sure you reach out to a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible. Going through the legal process of defending against a criminal charge can be extremely stressful, and it’s best to do so with the assistance of an attorney with valid credit and experience. A guilty conviction can lead to expensive fines and potential jail time. Don Pumphrey and his team at Pumphrey Law Firm have represented clients all across the state of Florida for various charges. We vow to stand by your side and fight for you and your freedom. For a free consultation call (850) 681-7777 or leave an online message today.

Written by Karissa Key

  Social Share