Judge gives 25-year-old 180 days for assault

A county court judge sentenced a 25-year-old Lincoln man to six months in jail Friday for kicking a man who was unconscious on the street.

Dustin Buresh, of 6220 N.W. Second Circle, No. 320, was convicted of third-degree assault for the incident Aug. 18 on Centennial Mall downtown.

Judge Gale Pokorny said, after a night at bars with friends, Buresh watched as two of his friends viciously attacked the man and then ran up and kicked him as he lay unconscious on the sidewalk. The victim was taken to the hospital with bleeding on his brain and broken bones, he said.

“You’re lucky you’re not here on homicide,” Pokorny told Buresh before giving him 180 days in jail.

Buresh had said he was very sorry for what he’s done and acknowledged he had a problem with alcohol and should seek help.

Buresh had nine charges involving alcohol on his record, including four DUIs, Pokorny said.

Two other Lincoln men were arrested in connection with the incident.

Randall Dearmont, 25, has been charged on suspicion of first-degree assault.

Joseph Whitten, 25, pleaded no contest to a charge of first-degree assault and was sentenced to 360 days in jail.