An August sentencing date has been set for a Columbia suspect convicted of the gruesome 2025 stomping and assault of a man in front of multiple Columbia police officers.
A jury convicted 55-year-old Daniel Wayne Dwyer of first degree assault earlier this month. Dwyer has a lengthy criminal record.
Prosecutors say Dwyer knocked the victim unconscious and then stomped on his head in June 2025. The daytime attack happened near Fourth and Locust downtown, in front of police. Testimony at trial and details from court documents say Dwyer punched the victim so hard that the victim fell to his knees. Nearby Columbia Police officers intervened, as blood came from the back of the victim’s head. Blood also was seen coming from the victim’s eyes.
Police chief Jill Schlude also witnessed the assault and assisted officers in detaining Dwyer.
Court documents say Daniel Dwyer is homeless: he has prior convictions for first degree assault, domestic assault and other crimes.