Schenectady

A third teen was arraigned Wednesday on charges of attacking and beating a man inside a theater at Bow Tie Cinema over the summer. Assistant District Attorney William Sanderson said Roeson Coe, 16, faces a charge of first-degree assault and first-degree gang assault in the June 29 beating of the Glenville man.

A fourth teen, Dashawn Harrison, 17, of Schenectady, who remains free on bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 9 for his alleged role in the assault, Sanderson said.

The 46-year-old victim was at a late-night showing of "White House Down" with his twin 15-year-old daughters and their friend. He snapped his fingers but didn't say anything to get the attention of the teenagers running up and down the aisles and yelling, Sanderson said.

As the end of the movie, one of them approached the victim from behind and punched him in the head, Sanderson said. A second male hit him before the group attacked the victim, repeatedly punching and kicking him, the prosecutor said.

When one of his daughters tried to help her father, she also was punched, and lost her cellphone, which one of the assailants took. The victim, whose name has not been released, suffered a concussion, a broken nose and an eye injury that is causing vision problems, the prosecutor said.

It's unclear how long the assault lasted, but no one inside the theater tried to help the victim, Sanderson said.

Coe, who on Wednesday pleaded not guilty, is being held on unrelated drug and stolen property charges at the Albany County jail.

Terrell Bell, 18, of Schenectady and Jonas Jeannot, 16, of Niskayuna earlier were arraigned on similar charges.

The four defendants were part of a group of about 15 young people, eight of whom actively participated in the attack, said the prosecutor. He said not everyone in the group has been identified.

Sanderson said that Harrison was originally charged with second-degree robbery and misdemeanor assault but that as the victim's injuries worsened the offenses were upgraded.

County and theater officials have down played the incident despite concerns from the public and downtown business owners.

Asked why it took three months for the beating to be made public, Sanderson said "There was no hiding it." He said anyone who may have witnessed the beating should call him at 388-4364, Ext. 4148.

The teens face up to 25 years if convicted of the assault charges.

pnelson@timesunion.com • 518-454-5347 • @apaulnelson