Former Wake Forest assistant basketball coach convicted of assault in ‘one-punch’ death
A former Wake Forest University assistant basketball coach was convicted in New York on Thursday of third-degree assault — a punch that led to another man’s death, according to numerous media outlets.
Jamill Jones, 37, was accused of punching Sandor Szabo, 35, on Aug. 5, 2018, in Queens, New York. Szabo, a former Raleigh resident, fell to the sidewalk and later died.
Jones will be sentenced March 18 for the misdemeanor conviction, according to ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner. He could be sentenced to one year in prison, ABC11 said.
Jones “showed no emotion when the jury delivered the guilty verdict at Queens Criminal Court,” according to the New York Post.
Donna Kent, Szabo’s mother, was in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered, according to the Post.
“I am so relieved it’s over,” Kent told the Post. “I’m ready to sleep and move on. This has been my life for 18 months.”
Jones and his lawyer did not answer reporters’ questions, the Post reported.
Jones joined the Wake Forest coaching staff in 2017 and was placed on leave following the incident. He resigned from the university in April 2019.
Details of the incident
Szabo graduated from Millbrook High in Raleigh and lived in Boca Raton, Florida, at the time of the incident. He traveled to New York City in August 2018 for his stepsister’s wedding, The News & Observer reported.
Szabo had been drinking the night of the incident, following the wedding, the New York City Police Department and the Queens County District Attorney’s office said. About 1:15 a.m., Szabo approached a white BMV SUV driven by Jones, The News & Observer reported.
There was a confrontation between the two men, and Jones punched Szabo. Jones drove away, police said.
Jones testified earlier this week in Queens in his defense, saying Szabo became aggressive with him, according to PIX11 TV station. He described a scene of confusion where Szabo was looking for a ride-share to return to his hotel and may have mistaken Jones for a driver, PIX11 reports.
He testified he chased Szabo and punched him, seeing him hit the sidewalk before he walked away, PIX11 said.
He testified he thought Szabo would be OK, PIX11 said.
Szabo lost consciousness and died Aug. 7.
Jones was charged with misdemeanor assault after he turned himself in, The N&O reported.
Donna Kent, Szabo’s mother, has become a critic of laws that do not treat one-punch deaths as homicides, The N&O reported.
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 8:45 PM.