Murder suspect also faces charges in vicious wedding reception assault
Accused twice of murder in recent years, a Kansas City man now faces charges for allegedly using brass knuckles and a car to severely injure two people at a wedding reception last year.
Jackson County prosecutors this week charged James N. Rhymer, 31, with three counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault in the August incident, which left a man and woman hospitalized.
Rhymer is jailed awaiting trial in the November killing of a man whose body was dumped in rural Cass County. Rhymer also was charged in 2012 with killing a man at a Northeast area house, but Jackson County prosecutors dismissed that case because witnesses changed their stories.
In the newly filed case, prosecutors allege that Rhymer and several other men assaulted a man outside a wedding reception in the 14800 block of East U.S. 40.
According to court documents, Rhymer and the others confronted and began beating the victim. Rhymer allegedly punched him in the face with brass knuckles before the others joined in, beating him into unconsciousness, according to the documents.
The attack broke the man’s nose, jaw and cheekbone and knocked out seven teeth.
When a woman tried to stop the attackers from leaving, Rhymer allegedly ran over her with a car. According to court documents, she suffered “severe” nerve damage and partial paralysis. During back surgery, doctors implanted metal rods and plates to support her spine.
Rhymer also allegedly punched another woman with the brass knuckles during the incident.
Three other men also face charges in the August incident.
Rhymer is scheduled for trial in October on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the November shooting death of 45-year-old David Mendez. Prosecutors allege that Rhymer forced Mendez from his Independence home and shot him to death in Kansas City. The body was found in a field south of Harrisonville.
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send email to trizzo@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Murder suspect also faces charges in vicious wedding reception assault."