Felony Assault Plea Over Irish, Scottish Debate

Unless otherwise noted, files at Washington County Superior Court contain the information about the following court cases. You can review them at the McGrath Judicial Complex.

Kyle N. Andrews, 33, now of San Antonio, TX, and formerly of 215 Silver Lake Ave., South Kingstown, pleaded no contest on April 15 to a South Kingstown police charge of felony assault.

Andrews was ordered to serve eight years probation and an eight-year suspended sentence, and to pay $550 in assessments. A no-contact order is in place between Andrews and the victim for about 10 years. Andrews was a member of the Army at the time of his arrest.

According to South Kingstown police reports included in court files, Andrews and his father – Kevin Andrews, 59, of 15 Fagan Court, South Kingstown – were outside the Mews at the time of the assault.

The victim, a 24-year-old Wakefield man, told police that an argument took place between him and Kevin Andrews over Irish and Scottish history, and which ethnicity was better.

The victim told police that he was joking, and thought it was a playful conversation, but Kevin Andrews took offense and started arguing with him. He told police that Kyle Andrews then got upset at the verbal argument, and punched him twice in the face.

Police said that Kyle and Kevin were not at the scene when they arrived. They were identified using video surveillance from inside the Mews, but there was no video of the alleged assault outside of the restaurant.

According to police, they were able to interview Kevin Andrews several days later. He told police that the victim had instigated the fight, claiming that he was drunk and had challenged he and his son to a fight.

Police said that Kyle Andrews admitted to striking the victim in the face, but added that it was because he thought the man had made contact with his father.

According to police, a medical examination of the victim revealed a broken nose, a broken left cheekbone and a hairline fracture of his jaw. About 200 stitches were needed, police said.

Police said that another family member of Kyle and Kevin said that the victim was drunk and belligerent. However, police said a witness found by the victim corroborated his story.

Editor’s Note – Based on the various witness statements, Kevin Andrews was also charged with disorderly conduct stemming from the assault, which is why his name is included in this write-up.

Results of that case are not in the judicial database, suggesting that it was dismissed and expunged. Andrews pleaded not guilty in October 2011, but further details are unavailable.

If we’re missing a case you’re interested in knowing about, feel free to leave a comment or to send Local Editor Stephen Greenwell a message at Stephen.greenwell@patch.com. We typically write up the summaries once a case has been resolved – a dismissal, a plea, or a guilty or not guilty finding.

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