You are reading

Former College Basketball Coach Avoids Jail Time for ‘One Punch’ Death of Florida Man

Jamill Jones (Wake Forest University)

July 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin

A former Wake Forest basketball coach avoided jail time at his sentencing Thursday for the ‘one punch’ death of a Florida man in Long Island City two years ago.

Jamill Jones, 37, of North Carolina, was sentenced to three years’ probation, 1,500 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

He was found guilty of third degree assault in February for slugging 35-year-old Sandor Szabo who died days later in 2018.

Szabo had just attended a family wedding and was walking near his hotel in Long Island City shortly after 1:40 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2018. He wandered over to Jones’ SUV and drunkenly banged on its rear window, according to trial testimony.

He ran off, but Jones got out of his car and chased him down. Jones, who was also staying in a hotel nearby, punched Szabo once in the face, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the concrete pavement, according to testimony.

The Florida man was taken to a nearby hospital for a skull fracture, traumatic brain injuries and a laceration on his chin. He died of his injuries two days later.

Szabo’s family believes he was looking for his rideshare vehicle and mistakenly banged on Jones’ window.

District Attorney Katz condemned the violence in a statement.

“This was a tragic incident that ended the life of a man and devastated his family, a violent run-in that should never have happened,” she said. “Violence is never the answer to settling a dispute.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com

One Comment

Click for Comments 
Ralph

I can’t understand how he ‘avoided jail time’ after taking a man’s life. Three years probation and community service, with a paltry $1500 fine? Is that all a man’s life is worth? Disgusting. This wasn’t anywhere near justice.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.