Houston Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Paralyzing Woman with Brutal Body Slam
Houston Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Paralyzing Attack in Chinatown
HOUSTON – A Houston man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of his involvement in three separate attacks, one of which occurred in Houston’s Chinatown and left a woman paralyzed. The announcement was made by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg on Friday.
The man, identified as 18-year-old Joseph Harrell, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery causing serious bodily injury in connection with the attack on 41-year-old Nhung Troung that took place on February 13. As a result of the incident, Troung is now confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down.
Surveillance video captured Harrell picking up the victim and forcefully slamming her to the ground. This incident also shed light on a criminal technique known as “jugging,” where robbers monitor customers at banks or shopping areas before following them to a different location in order to steal their money or valuables.
District Attorney Kim Ogg expressed her commitment to ensuring the safety of the community, stating, “People should feel safe in our community and not have to worry about looking over their shoulders whenever they go to the bank or run errands. Our organized crime division was ready and willing to go to trial, and that is why this defendant decided to plead guilty.”
As part of the plea agreement, Harrell must serve at least half of his 30-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Additionally, he is prohibited from appealing the conviction or the sentence. In exchange for his guilty plea, two other charges related to separate attacks were dismissed.
Assistant District Attorney Sean Kozar-King, who is assigned to the Organized Crime Division, successfully prosecuted the case. Kozar-King commended the Houston Police Department’s Robbery Division for their diligent investigation.
Kozar-King expressed the devastating impact of the attack, stating, “She was going about her daily routine and had taken money out of the bank to go see her family in Vietnam, and that’s when he attacked. He not only stole a significant amount of money but also left her paralyzed, possibly for life. It remains uncertain how long she will be confined to a wheelchair.”
The sentencing of Joseph Harrell serves as a reminder of the importance of robust law enforcement efforts to combat violent crimes in the community. Authorities remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, and will continue to work diligently to bring justice to victims of such heinous acts.
