Man who punched another into coma sentenced

TACOMA, Wash. — A man was sentenced Friday to one year in jail after admitting he punched a Puyallup man into a coma.

Police said in May 2012, 26-year-old Daman Lehman punched 22-year-old James Foster outside of a South Hill bar after Foster commented on Lehman’s car. The assault left Foster in a coma for weeks.

Foster physically recovered, but his family said he has become withdrawn, paranoid, and afraid to leave his home.

Foster’s family was in court to see Lehman’s sentencing.

“He’s alive, but he’s not the same young man that he was, and we worry that he will never be the young man that he was,” said Foster’s mother, Lisa Foster.

Lehman’s attorney told the court he had shown great remorse since the incident, but he stood to address the court. Lehman then broke down in tears.

“I’m sorry your honor. That’s all I can say, and I stand before you, I’m sorry,” Lehman said.

Lehman was sentenced to one year in the Pierce County Jail.

James Foster’s family said the sentence is simply not long enough.

“We thought at least 18 months. Doing county jail time? I don’t want his friends coming to see him every weekend,  I want his life to be miserable,” said Foster’s father, Darrell Foster.

James Foster’s family said the incident has left them in debt and financial hardship trying to care for Foster and pay his medical expenses.

Lehman’s sentence means he could be released early, and he could be out of jail before the end of the year.

KIRO