By Associated Press - Thursday, July 23, 2020

WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island man whose unprovoked punch to the face of another man left the victim with long-term brain injuries has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The sentence a judge handed to Michael Decosta, 23, of Providence, on Wednesday was the maximum under the law and five years longer than prosecutors had requested, the Providence Journal reported.

Special Assistant Attorney General Arthur DeFelice said Decosta has a long history of criminal allegations, disdain for the court, lack of remorse, and proclivity toward violence.

“Not a shred of a redeeming quality is present,” DeFelice said.

Decosta encountered Joseph Napolillo Jr. on Dec. 3, 2017, at a party in Warwick, authorities said. The two were talking in a parking lot when Decosta punched Napolillo, causing the victim to fall and hit his head.

Napolillo was rushed to a hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery. To this day he has multiple difficulties, his mother, Alicia Covil, told the court.

Decosta was convicted of felony assault and battery in February.

The judge also ordered Decosta to undergo anger management and substance abuse counseling.

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