Seven months after a man was brutally beaten at a country music concert in Chula Vista, a Camp Pendleton Marine was in court accused in the crime.
Marine Sgt. Raymond Sharkey, 27, pleaded not guilty to assault charges stemming from an incident last summer.
Zac Zander was beaten at a Jason Aldean concert at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in September. He suffered several broken bones in his face and needed reconstructive surgery.
Sharkey was arrested Tuesday in Oceanside and made his first court appearance today.
The judge ordered that the media conceal his identity in court. His bail was set to $75,000.
Sharkey served in the military for seven years according to defense attorney Rafael Acosta.
“This is a young man who has served our country," Acosta said adding that his client is stationed at Camp Pendleton. "He is not a danger to the public."
Victim’s father Keith Zander describes what it was like to see the defendant for the first time.
“The first thing that came into my mind was the guy looks like a decent guy, how can he do such a heinous act and a barbaric act for such a calm looking, normal looking guy on the street,” Zander said.
Keith Zander said the family was estatic to learn of the arrest.
“There were up to 7 guys who we believe were Marines and we hope this is just the first step in apprehending the rest of the hooligans,” Zander said.
“When we heard the news that this guy got arrested, we hope that this is just the beginning until they get the other guys,” he said. “All we can do is hope and have faith.”
Zac Zander recently underwent a 3-hour facial reconstruction surgery. His father said his son is doing remarkably well physically but his father says “you never know where the scars are.”