A fight in downtown Oxford Saturday night involving Oxford Village Councilman Michael Hamilton could lead to charges.
According to Police Chief Mike Neymanowski, his agency is investigating an altercation between Hamilton, 35, and his 32-year-old brother that took place behind JonMarx Steak and Seafood (21 S. Washington St.) shortly before 9:30 p.m.
‘As of right now, it looks like the brother was the (physical) aggressor,? the chief said. ‘We’re trying to find out what led up to it . . . I’m waiting for Mr. Hamilton to give me a call and he’s being unresponsive.?
A restaurant valet called 9-1-1 and reported a fight in the southwest parking lot.
According to the police report, the valet said Hamilton was ‘screaming out loud ‘call 9-1-1, help and fire? several times.?
When the officer arrived at the scene, Hamilton was ‘screaming that he was assaulted? by his brother who was walking away, according to the report.
When the officer caught up to the brother, he explained he and Hamilton had ‘exchanged some heated words? inside the upscale downtown restaurant.
According to the report, the brother admitted to the officer that he ‘started the fight.? The brother told the officer that he ‘began pushing (Hamilton) around? outside JonMarx and ‘then punching him.?
The brother attempted to justify his actions by saying that Hamilton ‘acts like he owns this town and wants to get rid of the police department and your chief.?
When the officer went to get Hamilton’s side of the story, the councilman, who ‘appeared intoxicated,? refused to give any information and indicated ‘he did not have to tell? the police anything ‘until he consults his attorney.?
Although the report only spoke of Hamilton’s alleged intoxication, Neymanowski indicted ‘there was drinking involved on both ends.
No charges have been issued as the incident remains under investigation, however, Neymanowski said both Hamilton and his brother could possibly be cited for disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
Hamilton’s brother could face additional charges. ‘If Mike wanted to press charges, we could have assault charges against his brother,? the chief said. ‘I’m waiting for Mr. Hamilton to give me a final call so we can close this out.?
The valet did not wish to give police a written statement ‘due to the fact that (Hamilton) was a council member,? according to the report.
This is the second time this year Hamilton’s been involved in an altercation downtown. Back in February, he was allegedly involved in a bar fight at the Oxford Tap. Both he and another man were cited for disorderly conduct in March after the village police conducted an investigation.
The case was dismissed because the village prosecutor handling it recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest, according to Hamilton’s attorney in the case, Allen Wolf, who practices in Lake Orion.
Neither Hamilton nor the other man involved wished to pursue charges against each other, so the matter was dropped.