Fall River man sentenced to jail after breaking woman’s jaw at city bar

A 47-year-old Fall River man who broke a woman’s jaw at a bar last April was convicted after a jury trial in Fall River District Court last week and sentenced to serve jail time, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

A jury of six convicted Kevin Alexander of Assault and Battery-Causing Serious Bodily Injury after a two-day trial.

Assistant District Attorney John Geary, who prosecuted the case, argued that Alexander should be sentenced to the maximum allowable jail term of two-and-a-half years based on the significant and permanent injuries inflicted upon the victim. Judge Robert Ovoian, however, sentenced him to two-and-a-half years in the house of corrections, with 18 months to serve. The balance of the sentence was suspended for three years, meaning if Alexander is charged with a new crime during that time period, he could be liable to serve the remaining one year of the jail sentence.

On April 16, 2022, Fall River Police were dispatched to Mickey Doyle’s Bar on Rhode Island Avenue. Officer Nicholas Pleiss met with the victim, who stated she was punched in the mouth by a male inside the bar. She stated she did not know the man personally but had seen him at the same bar on prior occasions. The victim was bleeding from the mouth and was having trouble speaking due to her mouth hurting. She was subsequently transported to St. Anne’s Hospital. Officers also spoke with a male witness, who stated he was sitting with the victim when Alexander approached and attempted to speak with her. She told the male to leave her alone and he became aggressive. Alexander then punched the victim in the face with a closed fist and then fled the bar.

The victim was treated at Rhode Island Hospital. Her jaw was broken in four different places, and she had to undergo major surgery approximately a week later to wire her jaw. She then had to have a second surgery to remove the plates from her jaw. To date, she still experiences constant nerve pain in her face.

The victim, the witness, and Officer Pleiss all testified during the district court trial.

“This was an unprovoked outrageous assault against a woman who was just trying to enjoy an evening out. I am pleased the jury held him accountable for this irrational act of violence,” District Attorney Quinn said.