Charges filed in Minnesota over City Council brawl

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Updated 10:26 am CDT, Friday, July 20, 2018

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. (AP) — Charges have been filed against two City Council members in Minnesota who were involved in a knockdown, chair-swinging brawl during a discussion about a children's splash pad.

The Pennington County attorney has charged Joshua Hagen with fifth-degree assault and Jerald Brown with disorderly conduct stemming from the fight at a Thief River Falls City Council committee meeting more than a week ago.

Brown tells the Star Tribune that a heated discussion over swimming pool money and a splash park escalated.

Charging documents say the men were shoving each other and ended up on the floor. Brown suffered injuries to his face. Hagen sustained abrasions to his back and chest. Brown says he doesn't plan to contest the charges. Hagen resigned his council seat earlier this week, citing medical reasons.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Charges-filed-in-Minnesota-over-City-Council-brawl-13091191.php

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2 City Council Members Brawl At Heated Meeting
July 20, 2018 at 11:26 am

. . .

The criminal complaint says that Hagen started arguing with council member Curtis Howe about city business. Brown eventually told Hagen to “shut up,” and said that he was “sick and tired” of Hagen.

When Brown said, “I’m going to take you outside,” Hagen allegedly responded “make me” and “let’s go.”

Charging documents say both men were shoving each other and ended up on the floor.

Council members said they saw Hagen kick Brown in the face while the latter was on all fours on the ground. City administrator Rodney Otterness restrained Hagen in a bear hug.

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/07/20/city-council-members-brawl/




Two Thief River Falls Council Members Charged After Brawl During Meeting
JOSH HAGEN AND JERALD BROWN WENT NOSE TO NOSE AND SHOVED EACH OTHER
July 19, 2018 TJ Nelson



Jerald Brown & Josh Hagen

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — Two men have been charged after a brawl last week during a city committee meeting in Thief River Falls.

. . .

Two witnesses said Brown picked up a chair to defend himself with one person saying Brown eventually threw the chair at Hagen.

. . .

Hagen has since resigned from the council.

He claims the mayor has failed to control the tone of meetings and the stress has led to panic attacks.

https://www.kvrr.com/2018/07/19/two-thief-river-falls-council-members-charged-after-brawl-during-meeting/


Hooray for Thief River Falls, Minnesota!

[7962]

1. That FIRST sentence is hilarious. "...about a children's splash pad". nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Im gonna watch our city council closely.

Splash pads are on the agenda...seriously.

[Sneederbunk]

2. Minnesotans are prickly about splash pads.

[ArizonaLib]

4. Splash pad derangement syndrome

I read all of these descriptions about the fight, then saw listed in other headlines that the Duluth Tribune used "Alleged Fight". WTF?

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/4471981-fight-allegedly-breaks-out-northern-minnesota-council-meeting

Wouldn't want to be in charge of transcribing minutes for that meeting!

[JunkYardDogg]

5. The Pro Wrestler Kane is running for mayor of a Tenn town..

Bet if this happened in his town meeting, somebody would have gone flying thru a window, just sayin.....
BTW he is running as a R

[GulfCoast66]

6. Fisticuffs over a splash pad? Would pay to watch budget discussions!

[ancianita]

7. So the old man won on a "shut up"? Hagen quit? Weak. What about taking turns on wins and losses,

or saying, " If you do X, I'll do Y," kind of thinking? It's so basic. So Midwest.

I can't believe they lost their words and heads.