Newton Man Pleads Guilty To Assault At Area Hospital

23-year old Joseph Lee Rosales of Newton will serve a prison term of six-to-eight years following his conviction for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

Rosales pleaded guilty in Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday.

On February 24, 2023, Hickory Police responded to Catawba Valley Medical Center regarding an assault. Officers reviewed a video of the incident. It showed Rosales and a male victim watching television together. The victim walked across the room with his back to the defendant. Not long after, Rosales put him in a chokehold, and pulled him toward the center of the room. The victim appeared to lose consciousness and slumped to the floor. Rosales then struck the victim’s face and head repeatedly with his fists. The attack stopped when a patient walked in and alerted hospital staff.

The victim required surgery as the result of injuries from the assault.

Photo: Hickory Police Department