Joplin man convicted of attack that left hospital worker with permanent hearing loss

A Joplin man has been convicted of first-degree assault after a violent attack on a hospital employee left the victim with a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures and permanent hearing loss.

A McDonald County jury found 41-year-old John Anthony McGonigle guilty following a two-day trial.

Jurors deliberated just 42 minutes before returning their verdict.

The conviction stems from a Feb. 11, 2026, incident at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, where McGonigle was receiving treatment.

According to evidence presented at trial, McGonigle became agitated after hospital employees told him he could not have his phone or receive visitors. He threw his phone at the hospital's shift manager before repeatedly striking him.

The victim testified that the attack came without warning. When he regained consciousness, he believed he was going to die.

The assault left the employee with fractures to his facial bones, temporal bone and inner ear, a torn rotator cuff, a serious knee injury, a concussion and a traumatic brain injury involving bleeding beneath the skull.

He also suffered permanent hearing loss in one ear.

Testimony revealed McGonigle threatened other hospital employees after the assault. One nurse testified that he threatened to find and kill hospital workers, their families and their pets.

That same nurse later received a social media connection request from McGonigle.

McGonigle's defense presented evidence concerning his medical condition and medication administered shortly before the attack.

However, testimony established that the medication would not have had sufficient time to take effect before the assault.

Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch said the victim suffered life-changing injuries simply for attempting to do his job.

McGonigle is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11.