Houston man seen on video body-slamming, paralyzing woman in February jugging sentenced to 30 years
Man sentenced in attack that paralyzed woman
A Houston man caught on video in February body-slamming a woman on concrete, leaving her paralyzed was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Joseph Harrell, 18, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle spoke with the woman to hear what she had to say.
HOUSTON - A Houston man was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison for his role in three attacks, including one in Houston’s Chinatown that left a woman paralyzed, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Friday.
Joseph Harrell (Photo Courtesy of Houston Police Department)
Joseph Harrell, 18, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery causing serious bodily injury for a midday, Feb. 13 attack on Nhung Troung that left the 41-year-old woman in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down. Nhung Troung spoke to Fox 26 on the eighth-month anniversary of the incident and says she's pleased with the court's decision.
"She's very happy," said Hai Bui with We The People Organize, who translated in English for the woman. "She feels justice has been served, she hopes that it's restorative justice - that Harrell may become a better person."
MORE: Woman left paralyzed after robber body slammed her to the ground
Harrell was seen on surveillance video picking up the victim and body-slamming her to the ground. It also highlighted "jugging," in which a robber watches customers at banks or shopping areas before following them to a different location to steal their money or valuables.
"People should feel safe in our community and not have to worry about looking over their shoulders whenever they go to the bank or run errands," Ogg said. "Our organized crime division was ready and willing to go to trial and that is why this defendant decided to plead guilty."
The Houston woman is adjusting to being left paralyzed. The money stolen, over $4,000, was being used to purchase tickets for the family's trip to Vietnam. Through some community help, the family managed to take the trip and return to Houston with Troung's mother. She now helps the family around the house.
Finances are still an issue for the family, as insurance does not cover the cost of therapy or medications.
Nhung Troung (left) with her family during her visit to Vietnam, June 2023 (family photo).
MORE ON JUGGING THAT LEFT WOMAN PARALYZED
Harrell must serve at least half his sentence before being eligible for parole, and he cannot appeal the conviction or the sentence, according to the terms of the agreement. In exchange for the guilty plea, two other charges connected to other attacks were dismissed.
PRESSER: Houston police announce arrests in Houston jugging that left woman paralyzed
Houston police say two suspects are in custody in the robbery that left Nhung Truong paralyzed last month. Houston police say Joseph Harrell, 17, and Zy'Nika Ayesha Woods, 19, are both charged with Aggravated Robbery with Serious Bodily Injury.
Assistant District Attorney Sean Kozar-King, who is assigned to the DA’s Organized Crime Division, prosecuted the case. He credited the Houston Police Department’s Robbery Division for their thorough investigation of this case.
A woman in this case, 19-year-old Zy'Nika Anesha Woods, pled guilty. The DA's office said Woods is set to receive her sentence in the coming weeks.