Charges Dismissed Against 1 of 2 Men Accused of Rochester Assault

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The charges have been dropped against one of two homeless men charged with the brutal assault outside a Rochester business last year.

The criminal complaint filed in the case says Rochester police responded to a report of an assault around 3:15 AM on September 12. After arriving at the southeast Rochester business, the officers found the apparent victim suffering from multiple facial and head injuries.

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The court document states that the victim told police he went to the business to meet a friend when he encountered two people who had previously been trespassed from the business due to their behavior. Police investigators reviewed surveillance video recordings and identified the men as 27-year-old Jordan Tylerlee Smith as 18-year-old Solomon Ojulu Obang.

The charges allege the victim and Obang got into a fight with Obang accused of throwing the first punch. It was alleged that Smith, who was standing behind the victim, struck the man on the head, causing the victim to fall to the ground.

The court document says the video then shows Smith punching the victim in the head about five times while he was on the ground. It also states that Obang is seen kicking the victim in the head approximately six times before the two men walk away.

When interviewed by police, the criminal complaint says Smith told officers the victim was spewing racial slurs and he claimed he joined the altercation to protect Obang.

Smith was charged with felony counts of third and fifth-degree assault. Those charges have now been dismissed by the Olmsted County Attorney's Office. A court document indicates the decision to drop the charges was made "in the interest of justice."

Obang still faces a charge of aiding and abetting third-degree assault. He is currently free without bail and is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing next month.