Hopkins Resident Knocks Out Man in Dispute Over Woman

A man was sent to the hospital after a Hopkins resident knocked him out in front of the following a dispute over a woman, according to charging documents filed Friday.

Matthew Michael McLaughlin, 28, has been charged with third-degree assault for the April 20 incident. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined $10,000.

McLaughlin told police the dispute arose because the unidentified victim was jealous that a woman was giving him more attention, according to a criminal complaint written by Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg.

McLaughlin said the victim repeatedly told him to “pull up his pants.” When the two were outside the bar with the woman, the man said it again. McLaughlin admitted that he “lost it” then and punched the man once in the face.

The victim admitted “pushing ‘Matt’s’ buttons”—adding that he told McLaughlin to pull your pants up. He said McLaughlin looked like he was about to walk away but that he instead punched him in the face.

The victim lost consciousness. The next thing he remembers is waking up in the bartender’s arms, he said.

The man had a broken bone in his face that required doctors to insert a metal plate fixed with six screws. Despite the surgery, doctors expect the victim to have permanent numbness in the middle of his face and persistent asymmetry.

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