District Attorney Keith Higgins announces that Zachary Lorenzo Blige, 41, of Brunswick, was convicted of Felony Aggravated Assault and Misdemeanor Battery, following a jury trial which concluded on March 1, 2023.
The charges stem from an aggravated assault that occurred on October 18, 2022. On that date, Brunswick Police Department officers responded to a 911 call at a residence on Johnson Street in Brunswick. Upon arrival, the officers determined that a 37-year old female resident had been beaten and strangled by the defendant, who did not reside at the home.
Evidence presented at trial established that Blige had been voluntarily smoking 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as Ecstasy or Molly, prior to the incident. Known medical effects of the drug are irritability, anxiety and aggression. Blige became angry because the female victim had put some of his dirty clothes in a bag after she had allowed him to shower at her home the day before. Blige began to aggressively beat the victim about her face causing excessive bleeding, swelling and pain, and resulting in a permanent facial scar. During the beating, Blige also started to strangle and choke the victim to the point where she thought she was going to die. A neighbor in the residence heard the victim’s screaming, rushed to her room, observed the assault and strangulation occurring and immediately called 911. When the defendant heard that a 911 call was made, he stopped the assault and fled the scene. Police officers subsequently located Blige hiding in an abandoned building and placed him under arrest.
The trial was presided over by Superior Court Judge Stephen G. Scarlett, Sr., in Glynn County Superior Court. Sentencing in this case is scheduled for March 14, 2023. The felony aggravated assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and the battery charge is a twelve month misdemeanor. The State has also filed a notice with the court to have the defendant sentenced as a recidivist felon.
Members of the media with further questions may contact the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office at 912-554-7200.
