Taunton man, arrested in violent attack, sentenced to prison

A 31-year-old Taunton man who violently attacked a convenience store clerk last April was sentenced to serve two years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Wayman McCassie pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last week to indictments charging him with aggravated assault and battery, and assault and battery.

On April 27, 2018, Taunton Police were dispatched to the Taunton Mini Mart for a report of the clerk being assaulted. The caller stated that the suspect fled in a small white car southbound on Plain Street. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who was bleeding from his mouth and nose. He was transported to Morton Hospital due to his facial injuries. There were several witnesses to this incident. Witnesses stated that a male entered the store acting high and/or under the influence. Witnesses stated the male went to the counter and demanded a discount for cigarettes. When the clerk denied his request, the defendant told the clerk that he wanted to talk to him outside. When the clerk exited the store, the defendant sucker punched him four to five times in the face. The victim suffered a broken nose and his jaw was broken in two places. Detectives conducted a photo array with the victim where he positively identified the defendant as the man who attacked him. The victim needed surgery to correct his broken jaw. As a result of that surgery, the victim’s mouth was wired shut for approximately four months. The defendant was not apprehended on this case until July of 2018.

Based on the unprovoked nature of the violent attack, the defendant’s multiple previous house of correction sentences, and violations of probation on his record, Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan argued for a three to five year state prison sentence. Judge Gregg Pasquale, however, sentenced the defendant to serve two years in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised probation.

“This was an unprovoked and brutal act of violence against a store clerk just doing his job. While the defendant may have a drug problem, he deserved a longer sentence based on the violence and injuries he inflicted. The defendant is a career criminal, who has a history of committing crimes,” District Attorney Quinn said.