An Oxford Village Councilman allegedly involved in a fight at a downtown bar will have to face his day in court.
Michael Glenn Hamilton, elected to council in September 2007, was cited March 13 by the village police for disorderly conduct stemming from an altercation that occurred at The Oxford Tap (36 S. Washington St.) around 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.
‘I’m going to plead not guilty in court and any other questions should be directed to my attorney,? said Hamilton, who’s represented by Lake Orion attorney Allen Wolf.
‘I got a partial police report that didn’t have any of the statements attached, so until I see everything it’s hard to say anything more other than we don’t have a court date yet,? Wolf said. ‘This appears to be a dispute in a tavern and I believe we’ll sort this out in court.?
According to Police Chief Mike Neymanowski, Hamilton, 34, and another patron, Stephen Garry Watkins, 42, of Oxford, got involved in a verbal argument over who won a game of darts and a $10 wager.
The two were separated by other bar patrons who stepped in to mediate the dispute.
Afterwards, Watkins, also known as ‘Woody,? claimed he ‘purposely avoided? Hamilton, who ‘continued to follow him around the bar, antagonizing him and verbally insulting him,? according to the police report.
Hamilton allegedly threw a beer in Watkins? face, who in turn retaliated by allegedly throwing a ‘glancing punch? to Hamilton’s cheek, which resulted in no injuries.
Neymanowski said the fight was broken up by the bartender and both men were ejected from the bar.
Hamilton, who called police to report the alleged assault, told the officer Watkins punched him ‘for no reason whatsoever,? according to the report.
During a March 11 interview, Hamilton told police Watkins was antagonizing him when a commotion ensued. As a result, a beer was ‘accidentally spilled? on Watkins at which point Hamilton claimed he was then punched.
However, in the police report, it was stated that numerous eyewitnesses said Hamilton was the ‘aggressor? and did throw a beer in Watkins? face after ‘pursuing? him throughout the establishment. Witnesses also stated they saw Watkins punch Hamilton.
In the police report, the bartender noted that Hamilton is known to ‘instigate arguments? at the Tap, where he’s a regular patron. As a result of this incident, the councilman has been barred from the local tavern, according to the report.
Both men later agreed the whole incident was a ‘stupid thing,? Neymanowski said.
‘They decided they didn’t want to press (assault) charges against each other,? said the chief, noting Hamilton’s alleged beer throwing is technically considered assault.
Neymanowski decided to issue both Hamilton and Watkins citations for disorderly conduct, which is considered a local ordinance violation and a misdemeanor.
Both tickets were issued March 13.
‘I treated it like any other situation,? the chief said. ‘Their actions certainly violated that ordinance.?
Both Hamilton and Watkins are now required to appear in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court. Arraignment and a pretrial hearing will take place the same day, however, the date has not been set.