Hickory Man Sentenced To Prison Time For Serious Assault Charge

Thalmus Jaton Linder was given an active prison sentence of 10 to 13 years following his conviction for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury during Catawba County Superior Court on Monday, January 23, 2023.

The Honorable Gregory R. Hayes, Superior Court Judge from Catawba County, imposed the terms of the plea arrangement after Linder entered his guilty plea on the day his trial was set to begin.

Linder, 44, of Hickory, will serve his period of incarceration in the custody of the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections.

The offense occurred on June 8, 2021. Following a dispute at a video gaming establishment on Lenoir-Rhyne Boulevard in Hickory, the defendant was asked to leave.

As he was leaving the parking area in his car, Linder struck another individual who also left the establishment on a bicycle. The male victim was behind Linder’s car on his bicycle when the defendant backed up and bumped him.

Pulling forward as he turned the vehicle, Linder again struck the victim, who was caught under the car and dragged out of the driveway down the highway. The victim was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.

Surveillance video from surrounding businesses captured the incident on camera and assisted with the investigation.

The case was investigated by Darren Bailey of Hickory Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Nancy Lee handled prosecution for the State.