Man Convicted in Bar Fight Aggravated Assault

A Knox County man was convicted of Aggravated Assault after prosecutors with Charme Allen’s Criminal Division presented proof to a jury about an assault committed by Hythm Hijer, 37, at Ray’s ESG in March of 2013. Hijer now faces a separate sentencing hearing where Judge Scott Green will determine the appropriate sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Leland Price and Assistant District Attorney Judson Davis called witnesses who testified that on March 15, 2013, Hijer was a patron at Ray’s ESG, a bar located at 7355 Kingston Pike. Hijer had been asked repeatedly to calm down, and ultimately, he was asked to leave the bar by security staff. After being asked to leave, Hijer followed the victim, one of the bar’s security employees, into the kitchen. Hijer then struck the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground, and he continued to punch the victim as he lay unconscious. The assault was captured by the bar’s video surveillance system. The victim was taken by ambulance to Park West Medical Center where he was treated for a severe laceration to his lower lip, injuries to his upper front teeth, a bruised and swollen right eye, and abrasions to his cheek. Hijer fled the scene before police arrived, but he was later apprehended and admitted assaulting the victim. He claimed self-defense at trial, but eyewitness and video evidence convinced the jury otherwise.

Aggravated Assault is a Class C felony, which carries a punishment from three to six years. Hijer will face sentencing on October 2.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.