ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The suspect accused of attacking a restaurant cook after attempting to dine and dash at Shogun Sushi on May 29 appeared in Albany County court on Wednesday. Lucas Healey, 42, of Albany, pleaded not guilty to robbery and assault charges.
Healey attacked, Su Wen, 49, of Albany. Wen is at the New York University rehabilitation center following the attack.
The prosecution said Healey punched Wen in the face several times and left him in a comma after Healey attempted to flee the restaurant, in Albany, without paying. Healey had accumulated a large bill of nearly $400 at the restaurant, and upon his attempt to leave, Wen tried to intervene but was punched in the face.
Healey was remanded to Albany County jail on Wednesday and his bail application hearing is pending. He will appear back on court on Aug. 16.
Wen's daughter, Nicole, said she hopes Healey gets a stiff penalty as her father suffered from severe brain damage and is left with a serious loss in memory and motor skills.
"I feel uncomfortable and angry, if someone like Lucas Healey would get something less than a life sentence because that is what me and my mom think he deserves," Nicole said. "Everything is basically difficult for him. He still can’t communicate very well. He has severe memory problems still and my mom has asked my dad whether he can write how old I am and as well as how old my sister is, but my dad is only able to write his own name over and over again."
A GoFundMe has been set up for Wen by, Chris Pratt, whose business the Lark Tavern, is next door to Shogun Sushi. Pratt posted updates on the GoFundMe page about Wen's condition on July 16.
According to GoFundMe, when Wen talks, "he’s barely audible, and the nurses needed to be really close to his mouth to hear him. It’s unclear whether he refuses to talk can’t comprehend the questions/ is unable to talk, when he’s questioned. The brain damage has affected all his limbs. He has difficulty gripping and releasing objects."
GoFundMe has raised about $60,000 of their $75,000 goal. Wen's doctors, however, are still unaware of when Wen will be able to go home. Nicole said that the family is re-configuring their home to make it more accessible for Wen, as he will have a long road to recovery.
