More than a month after three African-Americans were assaulted at a bar in Maplewood in what appeared to be a racially motivated attack, a Roseville man has admitted to his involvement.
Gregory Michael Votel, Jr., 30, pleaded guilty Thursday in Ramsey County District Court to one count of felony-level fifth-degree assault for his role in the incident, according to court records.
Votel and his girlfriend were at McCarron’s Pub & Grill on Rice Street shortly after midnight July 14 when three African-Americans — two women and a man — entered the bar, according to the criminal complaint filed against Votel earlier this summer.
Soon after, some patrons began making racial slurs toward the group, one of the victims later told police.
One of the women was hit in the face and knocked to the ground by a white man, the complaint said.
A fight broke out that spilled outside, where Votel decked the 42-year-old black man, knocking him unconscious, before getting into a car with several others, the complaint said. But before the car took off, Votel hopped out and kicked the unconscious man’s head repeatedly, the complaint said.
Police found him bleeding on the ground. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
Police later interviewed Votel’s mother, who said Votel and his girlfriend were simply defending themselves during the incident, the complaint said.
Thursday’s plea was the result of a deal reached with prosecutors on the case. Votel previously faced charges of third-degree assault, two counts of fifth-degree assault and one count of violating an order for protection.
Information on his presumptive sentence under the terms of the deal was not immediately available.
Votel’s criminal history includes domestic assault by strangulation and first-degree criminal damage to property.
His is expected to be sentenced in October.
His public defender, Baylea Cobb Kannmacher, could not be reached for comment.