Man indicted after woman’s jaw shattered in unprovoked street assault in Crown Heights

May 3, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The intersection of Grand Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Crown Heights, near the location where a sudden and brutal assault left a woman with a broken jaw. Screenshot via Google Streetview

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In an act of unprovoked violence, a Brooklyn man has been indicted for allegedly delivering a devastating blow to a 57-year-old woman, resulting in severe facial injuries, including a broken jaw.

District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced that Franz Jeudy, 33, from Crown Heights, faces felony assault charges for the attack that occurred as the victim was walking home from her job as a school bus driver.

The incident unfolded on March 26, 2024, around 5 p.m. near Grand and Atlantic Avenues in Crown Heights. According to the district attorney, the victim, who did not know Jeudy, was suddenly and inexplicably struck in the face, leading her to seek refuge in a nearby restaurant where her brother worked. Her brother promptly pursued Jeudy and detained him after a several-block chase until the police arrived.

The victim was rushed to New York Presbyterian Methodist Hospital, where she was treated for fractures on both sides of her jaw and the loss of multiple teeth. Initially charged as a misdemeanor, the severity of the woman’s injuries led to an upgrade to felony charges.

“Random attacks against strangers, especially women, are beyond senseless and completely unacceptable,” DA Gonzalez said. “A grand jury that heard all the evidence returned an indictment for felony assault, and we will now seek to hold the defendant accountable so he will not repeat this outrageous and criminal conduct.”

Jeudy, arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino, could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top charge. He has been placed on supervised release, with the DA’s Office requesting substantial bail, and is scheduled to return to court on July 2.