On April 30, 2016, at approximately 3:18 in the afternoon, Burlington Police Officers responded to the area of Pearl Street Beverage for the report of an assault in progress. The caller advised two males, described as transients, were in the Pearl Street Beverage parking lot and one male could be seen assaulting the other over an extended period of time, causing serious injuries.
Upon arrival officers quickly located the suspect, later identified as Bodell Schulz (DOB12-24-79), with blood on his knuckles. Schulz was intoxicated and advised he had only arrived in Vermont from Montana a few days earlier. While speaking to the officer he admitted to striking his “friend.”
The victim informed officers that Schulz had been repeatedly assaulting him because he refused to buy Schulz more liquor. Witnesses reported seeing Schulz punch the victim 4-5 times in the head as well as kick him and strike his head repeatedly against a nearby dumpster.
The victim had several facial lacerations and related swelling and was subsequently transported to the UVMMC, via the Burlington Fire Department, for treatment. Due to the severity of the injuries, the duration of the assault and the indifference to the victim’s well being, Schulz was charged with aggravated assault.
1024. Aggravated assault
A person is guilty of aggravated assault if the person:
(1) attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury purposely,
knowingly, or recklessly under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life; or…
(b) A person found guilty of violating a provision of subdivision (a)(1) or (2) of this section
shall be imprisoned for not more than 15 years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or
both.
Schulz was held for lack of $25,000 bail and will be arraigned on Monday, May 02, 2016 after 10:30 am, at the Chittenden Superior Court-Criminal Division.
