Judge walking toward City Hall hit in face, goes to hospital

Police say a Pennsylvania state Supreme Court justice walking toward Philadelphia’s City Hall has been assaulted by a panhandler, who hit him in the face. The judge has been taken to a hospital and treated for a possible concussion.

Labor leader John Dougherty confirms his brother, Justice Kevin Dougherty, was assaulted Friday night. He says his brother is fine and the attack appears to be random.

An hour earlier a subway passenger had reported being attacked by a man. Both victims identified James Paulk, who faces simple assault and reckless endangering charges.

Paulk’s mother says he has been treated for schizophrenia but is “not a bad person.”

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