1 arrested on multiple charges
Staff writer
A Marion man sustained a “significant” throat laceration allegedly inflicted by a box cutter during a fight with a Marion woman’s ex-boyfriend.
The alleged altercation occurred at approximately 8:26 p.m. Oct. 27 at 623 S. Roosevelt, according to Marion Police.
Officer Lee Vogel said Westley Brand, 32, of Marion, had already fled the scene when he arrived and found 27-year-old Christopher Wilson with a throat injury.
“It was a pretty significant cut,” Vogel said. “It was close to Chris’s jugular and was still oozing.”
The cut was at a vertical angle but if it had been horizontal, it could have caused a more serious injury, Vogel said. Wilson refused medical attention.
Vogel said the fight between Brand and Wilson occurred after Brand had a physical altercation with Casey Taylor, who Vogel identified as Brand’s ex-girlfriend.
“They told me Chris tried to intervene and Westley went after him,” Vogel said. “They wanted him to leave because he wasn’t welcome there anymore, but Westley refused to leave.”
It was not clear when the box cutter was used, but Vogel said the fight started inside the house.
Brand allegedly kicked a TV with the heel of his foot, leaving an “Adidas” logo imprint from his shoe in the middle of its screen, Vogel said.
The fight moved outside onto the porch and into the street, Vogel said. Sometime during the fight, Brand allegedly struck Wilson with a rock in the face, before he fled.
Vogel said Peabody Police officer Travis Davis apprehended Brand near Marion Central Park later that night.
Vogel said Brand did not sustain any significant injuries.
“He did not appear to be under the influence of anything,” Vogel said. “I guess everything happened pretty fast, it was pretty cut and dry.”
Vogel said Marion officer Mike Stone recovered a bloody rock and a box cutter.
Officers discovered .4 grams of marijuana among discarded items allegedly belonging to Brand, Vogel said.
Taylor and another victim, Emily Miller, 21, of Marion, reported no injuries.
Brand was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, criminal threat, battery, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage to property, as well as possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.