Hospitalized After Machete Fight

    A man who allegedly attacked another man with a machete in Springs Monday evening was released from East Hampton Town police custody yesterday after his family posted $5,000 bail. Jose Javier Garces Hernandez, 24, of Rutland Drive, was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor possession of a deadly weapon following the incident.

    Police found Jose Maria Jimenez, 26, lying in the street in front of his Clinton Street residence, bleeding badly from multiple wounds to his torso. He was taken first to Southampton Hospital, then airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. His condition was not known as of yesterday afternoon.

    Police tracked Mr. Garces Hernandez, who was reportedly covered in blood, to a house at 423 Springs-Fireplace Road. He was treated by emergency medical technicians, then flown to Stony Brook as well.

    In court today, Mr. Garces Hernandez appeared still in pain and woozy. His attorney, Melissa Aguanno, told Justice Lisa R. Rana that the man, who is from the Dominican Republic, “is a legal resident here in East Hampton for six or seven years. His father is here, his brother is here, and so is the complaining witness’s sister, who is my client’s girlfriend.”

    It was the “complaining witness” (the alleged victim) who began the fight, the lawyer said in arguing for low bail.

    “Don’t argue the case here,” Justice Rana warned her. She set bail at $5,000, the amount the prosecution had requested.

    The defendant’s brother and girlfriend left the building and returned a short time later with the $5,000. While clerks counted out the money, Mr. Garces Hernandez waited in the court’s cell, still wearing a hospital gown and socks. An officer took off his handcuffs, and he staggered out into the parking lot, leaning on his girlfriend and his brother.