A man from Nevada, Tylor Fu, who endured years of abuse from his babysitter starting when he was eight, punched his 80-year-old abuser, Richard Gross, in the courtroom after learning that Gross wouldn’t go to prison. Fu was arrested for misdemeanor battery after he hit Gross during his sentencing on October 2.
In an interview with 8NewsNow, Fu shared that he was extremely angry when he heard about Gross’ plea deal. He believed it wasn’t fair and that it didn’t make up for the pain he had suffered for decades.
Gross, accompanied by his wife and attorney, was leaving the courtroom when Fu stood up and punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the floor. Gross had to be taken to the hospital, and his glasses were broken during the incident.
After his arrest, Fu released a statement through his lawyer, expressing regret for his outburst but also trying to explain his actions. He mentioned being overwhelmed by emotions and deeply troubled by the lack of prison time for Gross.
Gross initially faced 26 felony counts of sexual abuse, but he made an Alford plea to a single count of attempted lewdness with a child under 14. This type of plea doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges the prosecution’s evidence.
Under the plea deal, Gross received a suspended sentence of 60 to 180 months in state prison, with the condition that he would only go to prison if he violated his probation terms. He is prohibited from using alcohol and marijuana, must live at least 1,000 feet from places where children gather, and is required to register as a sex offender with lifelong supervision.
Fu accused Gross of sexually abusing him from the age of 8 to 15, prompting Fu to finally report the abuse to the police in 2019, after his wife showed him an article about sexual abuse.
In 2021, Fu filed a civil lawsuit against Gross and his wife, alleging assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence. The trial for the lawsuit is scheduled for February 5, 2024.
Fu is also due in court on December 7 to face the battery charge against him.
