Bryan Stow’s family: ‘We want justice’

The family of Bryan Stow praised Los Angeles police and the Los Angeles County district attorney's office for their efforts in the case against two men accused in his beating.

"We will continue to thank and praise them for all their dedication and hard work, regardless of the outcome, even after this is long over," the family said on its website. "Obviously we want justice, but that wouldn't even be possible if it weren't for all that has been put into it."

The family said that because of the continual updates from authorities, they are able to focus their energy on Stow "and not think too much about this case."

"We put our faith and trust into everyone involved and we know that it is important to them as well to see justice prevail in the end of all this," the family said.

Their comments come after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George Lomeli found a "strong suspicion" that Marvin Norwood and Louie Sanchez committed the brutal assault and ordered the men to stand trial.

Friday's decision capped a six-day preliminary hearing that included dramatic testimony from witnesses who recalled the moment when Stow's skull hit the pavement as well as a recording of Norwood admitting to his mother that he was "involved" in the opening day beating.

Joann Cerda, who witnessed the assault from a distance, testified that the attack was unprovoked. She said that the Giants fans kept trying to walk away but that the two male Dodger fans "kept throwing hands in the air and making gestures like they wanted to fight."

She said Stow was standing still with his arms at his side when one of the men blindsided him with a punch to the side of the head. She said he seemed to lose consciousness before he even hit the ground.

Stow suffered severe brain damage in the attack and, according to his family, does not understand what has happened.

"Bryan does express frustration at times but luckily, because he isn't aware of the drastic change from who he was to who he is, the anger isn't there," the family said. " We have become very protective of him and should he ever realize exactly what is going on around him, we will be there. To tell him yes, he's a different man ... but to us, he's perfect just the way he is."

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-- Kimi Yoshino

Photo: Relatives of beaten Giants fan Bryan Stow gather at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center shortly after the 2011 opening day beating. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times