Guilty verdict in beating of restauranteur after ‘dine and dash’

By Pauline Liu

Nine months after a near fatal attack on a restaurant owner, an Albany County jury in New York found Lucas Healey guilty on all counts Monday including the top charges of assault in the first degree and robbery in the first Degree.

Healey, 43, of Albany, ran up a bill of $425 in food and alcohol at the Shogun sushi restaurant on Madison Avenue on May 29. After paying only $50, prosecutors say he tried to leave with many bags filled with takeout orders, but he was confronted outside by co-owner Su Wen Zheng and several staff members.

The jury found Healey began throwing punches, striking 50-year-old Zheng in the face. They concluded the force of the blow caused Zheng to fall. The back of his head violently struck the sidewalk and left him in a coma for a couple of weeks. 

After months of hospitalization and surgeries, Zheng is home with his family in New York City. He continues to struggle with limited mobility and speech. He regularly receives therapy.

During the four-day trial in Albany Supreme Court before Judge Roger McDonough, the jury watched video of the attack, which was caught on a security camera. They also heard from many witnesses and a neurosurgeon who testified Zheung suffered traumatic brain injury that almost claimed his life.

Healey considered testifying on his own behalf, but in the end, he decided against taking the stand. His lawyer, Assistant Albany County Public Defender Jonathan Stroble did not return AsAmNews’ request for comment.

In August, Healey rejected a plea deal which would have put him behind bars for 20 years. Instead, Healey faces 25 years in state prison and possibly more when he is sentenced by the judge on March 28. 

Zheng’s wife and two daughters stayed by his side and did not attend the trial. His wife, Sophia, said in Chinese that the couple’s youngest daughter, who is 13, shouted with relief when she learned of the verdict. Sophia is also relieved.

“This matter has come to a conclusion and it is considered a task completed,” Sophia said. “Next, I hope Su Wen can be emotionally stable and recover well.”

This was the first major trial for newly elected Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon, who praised Assistant District Attorneys Ryan Carty and Taylor Cupp, for their hard work. According to Kindlon, they made it “an open-and-shut case.”