Man sentenced for vicious bar assault

SPRINGVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Cheektowaga man was sent to prison for beating a gay man in Springville.

Joshua Holts said, "I'm really not a bad person."

Holts addressed his victim's family before being hauled off to jail for four years. He's responsible for a bar beating in Springville two years ago that left his victim, Scott Wright, in very bad shape.

Surveillance video of the attack outside Casey's Bar on Main Street helped identify Holts as the attacker, who didn't strike his victim once, but repeatedly. Wright's mother talked about that in court.

"After eight minutes, you felt the need to return to the victim and deliver some more blows to his already damaged head. This was a crime filled with hate that thankfully was all caught on camera," said Judy.

Holts reportedly made anti-gay slurs, although Judge Thomas Franczyk says this was not a hate crime, only one filled with anger, rage and ignorance. Holts apologized to Scott's family.

"I had too much to drink and made some bad decisions based on that, and I am sorry for," said Holts.

Judge Franczyk sentenced Holts to four years behind bars and three years probation for the brutal attack.

Judy said, "I'm just glad Scott's alive."

Judy says she accepts the courts ruling and hopes her son's attacker gets the help he needs.

"It's sad when you see a young man handcuffed and taken away," said Judy.

Judy says her son has permanent damage to the left side of his face. He's already had four surgeries since the attack and has one more scheduled for next month.