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Bui Van Phu: NYC thug who punched man into coma FINALLY charged with felony

Bronx Supreme Court records indicate that Phu is now charged with second-degree assault and must appear in court again on December 15

BY ANJANA PV

UPDATED SEP 16, 2022

Bui Van Phu (L) a registered sex offender punched Jesus Cortes (R) in August outside a Bronx restaurant (New York sex offender registry, GoFundMe)

Warning: This content contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion is advised.

THE BRONX, NEW YORK CITY: Bui Van Phu, 55, a registered sex offender who sucker punched Jesus Cortes, 52 which led him to coma in August was charged with a felony on Thursday, September 15.

Phu's bail was set at $100,000 cash, $300,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. The man who has been described as a 'Gloved beast' rapist will remain in the custody of the NYC Department of Corrections on a 'parole hold.' The next trial is due on December 15.

Bui Van Phu: NYC thug who left man in coma is FREED with charge downgraded to MISDEMEANOR

According to DailyMail, Phu's charges are now second-degree assault, a felony. The intervention of New York Governor Kathy Hochul in the case to ensure that Phu would remain in jail even though the Bronx District Attorney's office initially charged him with only a misdemeanor made this issue popular. Jesus Cortes, the victim was left with a fractured skull and brain bleeding after the attack. This eventually led him to a coma after the attack on August 12.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks about the new redesign plan for Penn Station at the Moynihan Train Hall on June 09, 2022 in New York City. Hochul who was joined by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Mayor Eric Adams announced early design plans for the renovation of Penn Station, which shares space with the recently completed train hall. The older part of the train terminal has long been criticized as being dark, out of date and poorly designed. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul made an intervention in the case of Bui Van Poh (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Bronx DA Darcel Clark stated, "The defendant, a parolee, allegedly struck a man once, and he fell, suffering terrible injuries. An investigation led to the defendant being charged with second-degree Assault. Fortunately, the victim is progressing in his recovery. I have met with him and his family and we are providing crime victims services to them as well." According to court records, Phu is a registered sex offender who was convicted of raping a woman at gunpoint on December 24, 1994.

His parole officer, Nixa Rivera, spoke at his hearing and stated, "Mr Bui is a 55-year-old male with a persistent violent felony offender history, Mr Bui is a registered level three sex offender, the highest level on the sexual offender registry. Mr Bui continues to be an imminent threat to the community." Also, in a conversation with the officer documented by the court, he recounts the incident, "I'm in trouble. I hit someone and he's in the hospital. I don't know if he's dead. The police are looking for me. I was at the restaurant and I know the police are looking for me."

Bui Van Poh is a registered sex offender for raping a 17-year-old in 1994 ( New York Sex Offender registry)

Daisy Gomez, Cortes' niece stated, that Phu's lawyer's arguments were "very stupid" and "there's not much you can say". Gomez stated, "What can you do when there's cameras, there's evidence, there's video? everything you need is proof." Juan Cortes, the victim's brother, also attended the hearing at court.