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Kingsford man accused in assault

KANE GWINN

FLORENCE, Wis. — A Kingsford man accused of punching a 70-year-old who was later hospitalized for his injuries pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Florence County Circuit Court.

Kane Gwinn, 24, is charged with the aggravated battery of an elderly person, a felony punishable by up to six years in prison; and disorderly conduct, a 90-day misdemeanor.

According to the criminal complaint, Gwinn hit the 70-year-old man after a “heated” exchange May 15 outside Who’s Next bar in Aurora, Wis.

The man was knocked unconscious and fell face-first down several steps onto concrete, the complaint stated.

Gwinn reportedly re-entered the bar after the exchange and said, “I did not do anything,” before leaving.

The man spent a number of days in Dickinson County Memorial Hospital with severe injuries that included a broken vertebrae in his neck and lacerations to his face, Florence County District Attorney Doug Drexler said.

The day after the reported assault, Gwinn was taken into custody by Kingsford Public Safety officers and then arrested by Florence County deputies.

Gwinn reportedly claimed the man pointed a finger in his face and fell after Gwinn “swatted” the hand away.

Video cameras recorded the confrontation, according to the complaint.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 30. Bond is set at $1,500 cash.

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