The man arrested in a July machete attack was found guilty on one count of aggravated assault by a provincial court judge in Nanaimo Wednesday.
The charge stems from an incident that took place around 1 a.m. on Canada Day.
According to Judge Justine Saunders' ruling, Jesse Wayne Goodale, 25, struck a man with the machete in the Harewood area after a verbal argument.
The victim underwent emergency brain surgery and suffered paralysis as a result.
Saunders said Goodale and his girlfriend were arguing when a man, unknown to both of them, shouted at them to keep quiet.
During the course of the argument, Saunders said Goodale produced a machete and the man pulled out a pellet gun.
Goodale had claimed to have acted in self defence, something Saunders discounted, as Goodale had also admitted to lying to police many times and his testimony was contradicted by his girlfriend.
Ken Paziuk, Crown counsel said he would await sentencing before commenting.
Stephen Taylor, Goodale's legal representation, didn't wish to comment.
The trial took place in late October and a date for sentencing has not been set yet.