Culpeper man, woman arrested on charges of assaulting police officers who tried to break up their dispute

BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Date published: 7/1/2008

BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

A Culpeper town police officer who tried to intervene in a weekend altercation between a man and a woman ended up getting assaulted himself.

Officer David Cole was on patrol on Gallows Court early Saturday when he heard people arguing inside a townhouse. Moments later, he saw a woman appear at the door and yell for help, according to a police news release.

At that point, according to Officer Cole's report, "a set of arms grabbed [the woman] by the back of her hair and shirt, pulling her back into the house, slamming the door behind her."

Cole called for backup then went to the door, demanding to know what was happening. A man opened the door and told Cole that it was none of his business, then refused the officer's order to allow him to check on the woman inside.

When the officer tried to move the man out of the way, the man spun around and punched the officer in the face, police said.

Lt. Scott Roy then arrived and joined in the scuffle. The two officers and the man fell off the porch steps during the struggle, according to the release.

At some point, the man kneed Roy and attempted to take the lieutenant's gun, police said.

The woman then came outside and tried to calm the man. But, according to the police news release, she too became combative and "attempted to punch Cole several times."

Jesse Owens Clark, 21, of the 1200 block of S. East St., was charged with felony assault, disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. He was also charged with possession of marijuana after a pack of cigarettes he dropped during the altercation were found to contain what police believe was a small bag of the drug.

Mary Green Williams, 41, of the 800 block of Gallows Court, was charged with felonious assault on a police officer.

Officer Cole was treated at Culpeper Regional Hospital and released. Williams refused treatment.

Williams' bond was set at $2,000. Clark was held without bond pending his first court appearance.

Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com

Date published: 7/1/2008