by Dennis Dalman
editorial@thenewsleaders.com
An alleged punch at a Sartell residence that left a woman partially paralyzed has resulted in first-degree assault charges against a St. Joseph man.
The man charged – Nicholas John Reinert, 36 – is scheduled for a first court appearance Monday, Sept. 11.
According to the complaint report, Reinert visited a woman in her Sartell residence on Jan. 22, 2016. When he saw the woman talking to a man in her kitchen, he allegedly became jealous and punched the woman, which caused her head to slam into a cupboard cabinet. The woman, the complaint states, then lost consciousness and woke up later feeling dizzy. She called a friend to take her to the St. Cloud Hospital.
Two months later, in March, police interviewed the friend of the woman, who told them the woman’s legs would not work properly after she arrived at the hospital Jan. 22, 2016, the day of the alleged assault. The woman was diagnosed with spinal-cord problems, and she had to remain at the hospital for inpatient therapy for about two months.
The alleged victim told the police she now must rely upon an in-home care attendant, and that she must use a cane for mobility.
Nicholas John Reinert
