By John Estridge
A Brookville man was arrested and charged with a felony after police said he pulled a knife at the Midtown and threatened the bartender.
Paul S. Bryant, 52, was charged with Intimidation, as a Level 6 Felony.
According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, written by Brookville Police Department Officer Sam Williams, Williams and BPD Sgt. Ryan Geiser were dispatched at 5:25 p.m., Thursday, October 1, to the Midtown on a report of a man pulling a knife on the bartender and threatening the bartender and another person at the Midtown.
The one person allegedly making the threats had left and was walking north on Main Street toward the Dollar Store.
Williams said he saw a person matching the description given by the dispatcher, a male with a blond beard, wearing a ball cap and a camouflage sweatshirt, standing in front of the Dollar General, placing a knife in his back pocket.
Williams instructed Bryant to put his hands in the air and get on the sidewalk, which he did. Geiser placed him in handcuffs and advised Bryant of his rights. When asked if he understood his rights, Bryant said he did not.
According to Williams, Bryant smelled strongly of alcohol.
Geiser patted Bryant down and found a knife and other personal belongings.
Williams placed Bryant in the backseat of his police car and went to the Midtown to take statements.
The bartender said Bryant came into the bar and was obviously intoxicated. She said Bryant slammed a knife on the bar at which time the bartender ordered Bryant to leave. Bryant picked up the knife and held it at his waist in a threatening manner while addressing the bartender.
He suggested she do something and also to do it to presidential candidate Joe Biden.
The bartender told Bryant the police were on their way. He put the knife into a pocket, continued yelling and then left the bar walking toward Dollar General.
The witness corroborated what the bartender told Williams. Also, Williams asked for the video of the event the bartender had taken with her phone.
Bryant was taken to Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville for a medical check. While at the hospital, Williams said Bryant continued to yell profanities, spit and blow snot all around the room. Medical personnel cleared Bryant to go to the Franklin County Security Center (FCSC) where he remains as of Wednesday, October 7.
Bail was set at $10,000. An initial hearing was held on Tuesday, October 6, in Franklin Circuit Court 2 in front of Judge Clay Kellerman. A pretrial hearing was set for 1 p.m., Thursday, December 10. A jury trial was scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
If convicted of a Level 6 Felony, Bryant could receive a sentence of six months to 2.5 years in the FCSC.