Teen pleads not guilty to assault charges

Published 9:23 am Friday, December 2, 2011

A Brownsdale teen pleaded not guilty Thursday to allegations that he beat up a 14-year-old Austin boy on the path behind the Paramount Theatre in November.

Harley Jonathan Becker, 18, pleaded not guilty to three charges — third-degree assault, fifth-degree assault and fourth-degree damage to property — after two victims identified him in a photo lineup.

According to court documents, the victim and his 13-year-old friend were skateboarding on the path behind the Paramount Theatre around 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 when they were reportedly approached by Becker and another young man.

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The 14-year-old told police the young men asked if they had been looking through cars in the area the night before. The 14-year-old replied that they had just been passing through, but Becker allegedly said something about beating him up anyway and began chasing him. The court complaint states Becker allegedly punched the 14-year-old in the face and stomped on his face multiple times.

The boy told police his skateboard and glasses broke during the altercation.

The 13-year-old fell as he was running away, he told police, but neither Becker or the second suspect hurt him.

At some point during the assault, a third suspect entered the picture, according to court documents. He reportedly helped Becker catch the 14-year-old.

The 14-year-old was taken by his father to the emergency room, where a doctor classified his injuries as dental fractures, facial abrasions and contusions and a possible sinus injury.

When police spoke with the 13-year-old, he corroborated the 14-year-old’s story and said the second suspect stood over him when he fell, but did not hurt him.

The Austin High School liaison officer presented suspect descriptions to AHS personnel the day after the alleged assault and a teacher identified Becker as matching one of the descriptions. Both boys identified Becker as their assailant when presented a photo lineup of six suspects, according to the court complaint.

The other two suspects are still at large. One was described as a white male between 17- and 20-years-old with curly black hair and the other as a Hispanic male between 18- and 20-years old.

Becker is scheduled for a pre-trial on Jan. 20, 2012.