Teen To Stand Trial As Adult In August Assault

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One of the four juveniles who were accused in a brutal beating that put a 26-year-old man in the hospital with serious injuries in August will stand trial as an adult.

Cindarion De'Angelo Butler, 16, was among the youths arrested after 26-year-old Raymond Widstrand was assaulted on August 4. Also arrested were 19-year-old Issac Maiden and two unnamed 15-year-olds. Maiden has been charged with five separate crimes in connection with the attack.

On the night of the assault, St. Paul Police officers found Widstrand lying on Payne Avenue with blood coming from his nose and mouth.

Witnesses said that members of the "East Side Boys" gang attacked Widstrand when he walked by a fight taking place between some women.

According to the criminal complaint, Butler was seen by a witness jumping on Widstrand's face.

Butler has been charged with four criminal counts: two counts of committing a crime for the benefit of a gang, and two counts of first-degree assault.

Early on, doctors said the prognosis for Widstrand's recovery was slight. He suffered protracted loss of brain function, and doctors weren't sure if he was going to live.

As of a few weeks ago, Widstrand said he was taking it day-by-day in the hospital, reading hundreds of comments from strangers on his CaringBridge site. He said his outlook on life has changed from his experience.

"You can't live in fear, and you can't live afraid of what some bad apples will do to the mixture," Widstrand said. "Just be positive and you can overcome and be stronger."