LI sandwich attack trial continues [View All]

[MADem]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-libolo0424,0,338206.story?coll=ny-top-headlines

Prosecutors say Frank Barnett's weapon had a first name. It's O-S-C-A-R.

Barnett is on trial before a Riverhead jury on criminal charges stemming from a courthouse struggle that began when he threw a bologna sandwich at a police officer, prosecutors said.

But Barnett, 47, of Amityville, said he dropped the sandwich and was attacked by officers when he tried to pick it up. He is charged with second-degree assault, punishable by up to 7 years in prison, and obstructing governmental administration, a misdemeanor.

...To prevent the situation from escalating, Etheridge said he immediately tried to handcuff Barnett on the ground, but he resisted, flailing his arms and kicking his legs. With help of two other sheriffs, Barnett was eventually subdued. Although Etheridge conceded that Barnett never deliberately struck any officers, the law says someone is guilty of assault if, in the course of preventing a police officer from performing his duty, he causes physical injury. Etheridge said he felt "excruciating pain" in his lower back and neck after the struggle and missed four weeks of work while undergoing treatment.