Homeless man arrested for battery on senior citizen after alleged 20-minute-long attack
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Donald Manion, 51, was arrested yesterday and charged with battery on a 66-year-old man after allegedly hitting the victim with his own gun for 20 minutes while threatening to kill him and trying to pull the trigger on the gun.
The 66-year-old victim was reportedly sitting in his truck on private property when Manion arrived at the residence. The victim told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that the property owner had told him that Manion was going to shoot up the home because he believed his belongings were missing from the property owner’s shed. The property owner also reported said Manion had threatened to kill the victim and the property owner when he returned.
When Manion arrived, he walked toward the victim’s truck; the victim told the deputy that because of the threats, he believed Manion had a gun, so he took out his revolver and put it on the passenger seat of the truck, next to his dog. He said Manion opened the door of the truck and grabbed him, and while the victim was trying to keep his dog from charging at Manion, Manion allegedly grabbed the gun the victim had placed on the seat.
The victim said Manion grabbed his jacket and pulled him to the ground, then got on top of him and battered him for approximately 20 minutes. The victim said Manion poked him in the face five or six times with the barrel of the revolver while threatening to kill him; the victim said each time Manion poked him with the gun, Manion tried to pull the trigger, and the arrest report states that the victim “would place his hand in the area of the handle to prevent the gun from going off.”
The deputy reported that the victim suffered significant injuries to his hand, along with significant injuries to his face and ear. The deputy also reported that medical staff later said the victim’s hip was broken and that he was admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Post Miranda, Manion reportedly declined to answer questions. However, he reportedly later stated spontaneously that he took the revolver from the victim and dismantled it, then threw the pieces in different directions.
A witness who appears to be related to Manion reportedly told the deputy that when Manion arrived, the victim got out of his truck and pointed the revolver at Manion, saying he would shoot him. The witness said Manion then took the revolver from the victim and started fighting with him.
Manion, who is described as homeless in court documents, has one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent). Judge Mark Moseley set bail at $2,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
At least he wasn’t wearing a UF Alumni sweatshirt. Numerous homeless people are in dire need of mental services and possibly commitment to treatment. It appears this incident should have been an attempted murder charge.
Looks like a ladies man. Gross
One day they will try a believer in the 2A and Florida SYG law
It’s a shame the city supports this trash staying I town where tax payers have to put up with them
He did try one and took his gun….
Once again, the Chronicle can’t resist writing an agenda-peddling headline about someone who apparently is homeless, even when his homelessness has absolutely nothing to do with the story. The overwhelming majority of crime in this county is committed by people with homes. Not that I’ve come to expect any journalistic integrity here, but at least try to fake some occasionally.
Homelessness and race have everything to do with the rampant crime here. The slaps on the wrist they receive continue to encourage criminal behavior.
How about you getting him out of jail post a picture of him having Christmas dinner with you and your family maybe let him spend a night or two. You act so high and mighty with your democratic values so show us you believe in what you’re saying or are you just like most other democrats all talking
Why don’t you go read the Gainesville Sun. You can also go post his bond and invite him over for Christmas dinner. After he beats you then, maybe your thought process may change.
They become homeless addicts and psychos because your NGO pals and pols entrap them in a college town. Instead of sending them to Ocala, anywhere else. They’d heal and grow up there.
2000$…???
Judges and scummy lawyers want them warm in jail. To maintain future demand.
It appears that Judge Uncle Wally Green has been replaced by another with even less concern for the victims of violence. I wonder if the voters in this far left county will ever get tired of our permissive judicial system.
Not really sure what was going here with the exception of this guy looking like a cast member in “Deliverance.”
Bring back mental institutions.
Isn’t that what Grace Marketplace is, they need more Drs. and straight jackets.
This story is not correct at all.
Mr. Manion did not try to kill the man who claim to be the victim.
Mr. Manion was confronting another man about tools that were stolen.
The older gentleman who claims to be the victim pulled the gun on Mr. Manion.
Mr. Manion then tried to remove the gun from the so called victim in self defense.
It was not a 20 minute attack.
Please know your facts before posting fake news.
This is slander on Mr. Manion.
I hope he sues you.
Sounds like your his Public Defender. If true you file a police report for theft. You don’t take the law into your own hands. These are allegations taken from police reports. Merry Christmas!!
The way he looks the police would not take his claim seriously and file it in the round file bin. Homeless people don’t trust the police and I don’t blame them.
Were you there with a video cam?
Sue for what? Printing written facts from an arrest report. Is the arrest report different than the news reporting? Go back to reading the misleading non reporting Gainesville Sun/TV 20.
That SOB needs to sit in a jail cell for a long time. He’s crazy and doesn’t deserve to be allowed to be in polite society.
WTF did they prior know each other? Never let an obvious book by its cover psycho step on your property in the first place. Give them the addresses of NGO board members instead.
Attempted murder and all he had to come up with is 200 bucks? If a ‘normal’ cictzen had done this he would be under the jail. What the hell is it with Mosley?
People can sugar coat this all they want. He went on private property to be confrontational. Someone pulled a gun on him. He then attacks that person to take their gun.
Key points, private property, and confrontational. Self defense argument out the window. $2000 bail ain’t nothing. You bleeding hearts keep giving them money on the street corner hand over fists. His homeless buddies will have him out before the dinner bell at grace.
“he believed Manion had a gun, so he took out his revolver and put it on the passenger seat of the truck, next to his dog.”
The victim needs to take a firearms safety/self defence class. Not securing your firearm and allowing it to be taken from you will get you killed.
$2k?!?!?!!! Judge Moseley has GOT to GO!!!😫😫😫