Man Charged After Saint Paul Assault Leaves Man With Severe Brain Injury
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A Saint Paul man is charged with first-degree assault after prosecutors say he caused severe brain injuries to another man.
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at an apartment in the 1500 block of Marion Street in Saint Paul, where officers found the victim badly injured and unconscious.
> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
Police arrived and encountered Jared James Sprowls, 22, who told officers he had called 911. Inside the apartment, officers found the victim lying on the floor between the living room and kitchen, unresponsive and showing signs of serious injury. The man had visible injuries to his head and face and was struggling to breathe. He was taken by paramedics to Regions Hospital.
After being advised of his rights, Sprowls told investigators he is homeless and had been allowed to sleep on the couch by a woman who lived in the apartment. He said the victim arrived earlier that day and was asked to leave after the woman who lived in the apartment told him she wanted the victim gone. Sprowls said the situation escalated after the victim became aggressive, leading to a physical confrontation in the kitchen.
According to Sprowls, the victim lunged at him and attempted to hit him. Sprowls said he punched the victim with a right hook that connected with the victim’s jaw, after which the victim fell and struck his head. Sprowls told police he immediately called 911 after the man lost consciousness.
READ MORE > Saint Paul coverage
The woman who lives in the apartment told officers the two men had argued before over Sprowls staying there and that both had been drinking alcohol earlier in the day. She said the argument became physical and ended with a loud thud before she entered the room and saw the victim on the floor. She told police Sprowls urged her to call 911 and said he did not mean for the incident to happen.
Medical staff later informed investigators the victim suffered multiple brain hemorrhages, brain swelling, a facial fracture and elevated cranial pressure. Prosecutors said the victim remained in critical but stable condition and could not be interviewed.
Sprowls was charged with first-degree assault involving great bodily harm, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He was arrested made an initial court appearance on Feb. 3 where unconditional bail was set at $75,000.
