2 merchant marines allegedly beat up Joyner

Police arrested on Tuesday two merchant marines who allegedly beat up local musician Samuel Joyner at the beach area of Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio.

James Lydell Pringle, 27, and Quentin Howard Knights Jr., 23, were arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

After the alleged beating, Joyner drove himself to the Commonwealth Health Center to be treated for abrasions and bruises to the right face and bruises to the left ribcage. He said he probably has a fractured left rib.

The Superior Court initially imposed a $15,000 cash bail each for the defendants’ temporary liberty. At yesterday’s hearing, Superior Court associate judge David A. Wiseman allowed each defendant to post a $1,000 cash bail plus $9,000 unsecured bond.

Wiseman ordered Pringle and Knights to hire their own lawyers after the court determined they are not eligible for court-appointed counsel.

Police learned of the incident after a CHC nurse reported the case to police on April 27 at 3:34am, when Joyner was admitted to the emergency room.

Detective Peter A. Aldan stated in his report that, according to Joyner, he and Amanda Kaipat were looking for Kaipat’s sister, Florence Peters, on the evening of April 27.

Upon learning that Peters was in one of the rooms at PIC with Pringle and Knights, Joyner and Kaipat proceeded to the hotel room, where Knights told Joyner that Florence was not in the room.

Kaipat stayed in the room while Joyner proceeded to the beach area to look for Peters and Pringle. After a few minutes of searching, he found the two at the beach area.

Joyner said he approached Pringle and told him he was not supposed to be with Peters. An altercation ensued, during which Pringle allegedly punched Joyner in the face, causing the musician to stumble back.

Joyner fought back and both ended on the ground. During their struggle, Pringle allegedly hit Joyner in the face with an object.

Peters ran to PIC where she called Knights to stop the two from fighting. When the three arrived at the beach, Pringle was allegedly seen choking Joyner by the water.

Pringle shouted at Knights to hold Joyner’s hands. Knights allegedly grabbed Joyner’s hands, at the same time kicking the victim in the head and rib cage. Pringle was also punching Joyner in the head and face.

Florence and Kaipat tried to stop Pringle and Knights, but the two pushed them away and allegedly continued beating up Joyner. The suspects allegedly only stopped when Joyner lost consciousness. They then walked back to their hotel room.

Later, Joyner regained consciousness, walked to his car and drove himself to CHC.

On Tuesday, police served an arrest warrant on the defendants.