Man guilty in assault at downtown eatery

A Toledo man arrested after an October incident at a downtown restaurant that left a woman with a broken nose entered a plea in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Darryl Hills, 32, of 1025 Dorr St. pleaded no contest Tuesday and was found guilty of misdemeanor assault. Judge Stacy Cook set a March 26 sentencing date.

Authorities said Mr. Hills became involved in a fight at the Spaghetti Warehouse restaurant, 42 S. Superior St. During the altercation, police said, he threw a chair through a window and punched a woman in the face, breaking her nose. The 49-year-old victim was not involved in the initial fight, authorities said.

The initial charge of felonious assault was reduced because certain elements of the crime -- in particular, that he knowingly caused seriously physical harm -- would have been difficult to prove, authorities said.