WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man whose unprovoked punch to the face of another man left the victim with long-term brain injuries has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The sentence a judge handed to 23-year-old Michael Decosta, of Providence, on Wednesday was the maximum under the law and five years longer than prosecutors had requested.
Prosecutors say Decosta encountered Joseph Napolillo Jr. on Dec. 3, 2017, at a party in Warwick.
The two were talking in a parking lot when Decosta punched Napolillo, causing the victim to fall and hit his head.
Napolillo was rushed to a hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery.
