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Michael Garland, 46, was at a trial Monday of aggravated assault and endangering an injured victim after saying he acted in self-defense, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Local police responded to the fourth level of the Golden Nugget Casino & Marina parking garage where the 25-year-old victim was lying near a barrier wall just before 1:30 a.m., the prosecutor's office said.
A vehicle with extensive front-end damage was adjacent to Rivera, who subsequently underwent surgery for two broken legs, authorities said.
Witnesses told police the 25-year-old man had reached into the car and punched Garland, in the driver's seat. Garland continued driving after being slugged, pushing the victim into the side of a parked SUV, the prosecutor's office said.
Garland then got out of the car and ran inside the casino, authorities said.
A jury convicted Garland of aggravated assault, endangering an injured victim, assault by auto while driving intoxicated and causing serious bodily injury while driving with a suspended license.
Garland is required to serve at least nine years in state prison before he's eligible for parole.
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