A Florida man has been sentenced to prison for a brutal hatchet attack on a friend, an act reportedly fueled by revenge over a broken cell phone from weeks earlier.
Jaquan Sykes, 35, received a sentence of two and a half years in prison this week after being convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to court records.
The Attack
The case stems from an incident on January 30, 2022, in which Sykes allegedly picked up the victim and a woman, who were both friends of his. After the trio drove to an Oneco Rose liquor store, Sykes asked the male victim to step out with him behind the store to “talk.”
The conversation quickly turned violent. The victim later told the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office that Sykes suddenly “attacked” him with a hatchet, which reportedly had its handle wrapped in paracord.
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“He said that he was struck multiple times on his upper body and sustained multiple lacerations to his head,” the arrest warrant detailed. The victim suffered multiple fractured bones requiring surgery, as well as multiple pins to align the bones.
During the assault, the victim recounted hearing Sykes yell, “I was going to kill him,” and later, “So now you wanna beg for your life,” as he tried to escape.
‘That Was For Breaking My Phone’
Shortly after the attack, Sykes returned to the vehicle alone and told the woman to “go find the victim and check on him.” As she exited the car, Sykes reportedly drove off, yelling the motive behind the assault: “That was for breaking my phone.”
The woman found the victim seriously injured in the roadway with severe cuts to his arms, torso, and head. He was rushed to a hospital and was expected to recover.
Both the victim and the witness identified Sykes as the attacker. The victim stated he believed the incident was over him “accidentally breaking Jaquan’s phone on Christmas,” noting he had already replaced the device and was unsure why Sykes would still be angry. Court documents also state that Sykes later threatened both the witness and the victim.
The hatchet used in the attack was not immediately recovered.
Sykes pleaded no contest at trial last month to the lesser offense of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Circuit Judge Teri Dees gave Sykes credit for time served from January 2023 through November 2024. He has 30 days to appeal.
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