Homeless Man Jailed After Fighting Twice in Same Day

By: Scott Crippen - Email

Updated: Mon 9:15 AM, Sep 17, 2012

Lincoln police are investigating a case where the victim was assaulted twice in the same day by a homeless man demanding money.

The first incident happened around 12 a.m. Monday. Issac Moral said his cousin is homeless. The cousin and another man who both stay at the People's City Mission visited Moral earlier in the week. The acquaintance showed up at his apartment in the 800 Block of G Street, asking for $20 to purchase a beer. Moral says the man became upset when he offered him a small amount of cash.

Moral says, that's when the man tried to hit him with the door and come into his apartment. Moral said he pushed back on the glass door and the metal frame hit the man in the side of his face.

Lincoln Police Sergeant Tom Ward said the homeless man was treated at the hospital for a cut to his head.

Moral said he was asleep when the man returned to the apartment just before 5 a.m. and pounded on his door. The man was upset because Moral had called 911 for the earlier incident.

Moral said he realized the man was very upset and tried to force his way past the man to get neighbors for help.

Just as Moral got to the entryway for the apartment below, the man wrapped a cord to a clothing iron around Moral's neck, holding him on the ground.

Moral says he grabbed the iron and struck at the man, hitting him in the face.

Moral added, "I must have hit him pretty hard, but he was choking me."

Sergeant Ward says the iron hit the man in the face near where the earlier facial cut had been stitched together.

Neighbor Larry Lundville said he heard the pounding on the floor and then at his doorway. When Lundville opened the door, he saw both men covered in blood and fighting.

Police were called to the disturbance by another neighbor. Ward said the suspect is being treated for his injuries then he will be lodged in jail for assault.

Moral said he received a citation for disorderly house, but says he'll continue to offer help to anyone who needs it. He said it's because he really loves everyone and if he can help, he wants them to do well.

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