Bellingham man reportedly has his eye surgically removed after being beaten
A Bellingham man reportedly had to have his eye surgically removed after he was beaten by another who showed up with his girlfriend to move belongings out of a Roosevelt neighborhood apartment.
Bellingham police arrested Michael William Joyner Jr., 30, Friday, Sept. 11, on suspicion of first-degree assault and violation of a court order (domestic violence), and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $60,000 bail.
Officers were called to the 1500 block of Texas Street on June 20 after the victim reported he had been punched in the eye, Whatcom County Superior Court records show.
A witness told police that Joyner and his girlfriend had arrived to move some belongings out of the apartment when Joyner and the victim got in an argument, court documents state.
The victim asked them to leave, and Joyner responded by punching the victim in the face, according to documents. Joyner then reportedly pushed the victim, causing him to fall and hit his head, then got on top of the victim and continued to punch his face.
Bellingham Fire Department medics advised the victim to go to the hospital, but he said he would wait until the morning to avoid the cost of medical transportation, documents state. Officers followed up with the victim, who said in August he had to have his eye surgically removed due to the injuries he suffered in the alleged assault.
Joyner’s court order violation stemmed from an unrelated incident on July 12, court records show.
The Bellingham Police Department has not responded to The Bellingham Herald’s request for information about Joyner’s arrest Friday.
Court records show Joyner is awaiting a Dec. 7 trial for forgery after he reportedly paid a $62 bill at Denny’s with counterfeit bills Dec. 21. He also has previous convictions for theft, possession of stolen property, taking a motor vehicle without permission, theft of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, burglary, driving without a license and obstruction in Whatcom County.
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 5:55 AM.
