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Man with disability attacked in City of Tonawanda in August dies

Posted at 12:35 PM, Nov 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-22 18:18:41-05

CITY OF TONAWANDA, N .Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County District Attorney's Office says the man who was attacked in August in the City of Tonawanda has died.

Fifty-nine year-old Michael Zuch who suffered from Huntington's Disease was allegedly attacked by 24-year-old Avery Hunter in August on the corner of Grove Street and Grove Place in the City of Tonawanda.

Zuch sustained a broken jaw, concussion and brain bleed during the attack, he was taken to ECMC's trauma unit. Police say when officers arrived, Hunter was still standing over the victim, while he laid unconscious on the sidewalk.

Hunter was charged with one count of assault.

City of Tonawanda Police Captain Frederic Foels is called the attack an "unprovoked and despicable act, you can’t get much lower than this."

Zuch was supposed to testify about the attack during Hunter's felony hearing in August. But, a judge granted the Prosecution's request to postpone the hearing until Zuch was well enough to testify.

The case was scheduled to be presented before a Grand Jury Friday morning, the district attorney's office says due to Zuch's death the matter is now being further investigated.