MIDDLETOWN — When a man didn’t like what he heard in court last week, he ended up allegedly biting a court officer’s arm.
According to the report of Patrolman Stephen Keller, David Michael Serricchio was in court May 20 on a domestic violence charge when at about 10:20 a.m. Judge Richard B. Thompson made a ruling that didn’t sit right with him.
As a result, he ended up being charged with attempted aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Dissatisfied with Thompson’s decision, Serricchio began to yell in the courtroom, according to the police report. At that point, Court Officer Wilbur Kerner Jr. asked Serricchio to either stop or step outside. Rather than ceasing or excusing himself, Serricchio began yelling profanities in the courtroom. Judge Thompson had activated the emergency button, and Sgt. R. Craig Weber arrived and informed Serricchio he was under arrest.
A small melee ensued in the lobby outside the courtroom as Serricchio resisted arrest and persisted in arguing, police said. Upon Keller’s arrival, he found Officer Kerner and Sgt. Weber attempting to handcuff Serricchio in the vestibule between the glass-door entry to the police department.
Keller said Kerner could be heard ordering Serricchio to the ground and to stop resisting arrest. When Keller entered the vestibule, he ordered Serricchio to stop resisting as well. At that point, Serricchio started "thrashing about with his arms and legs," and allegedly bit Kerner on the left arm, drawing blood, and struck Weber with his flailing arms, Keller reported.
Weber then sprayed Serricchio with a chemical agent to induce his compliance, Keller said.
Kerner sustained the bite to his left arm. Weber’s neck and right side were bruised as a result of the scuffle, and he sustained a cut to his left index finger and nose. Both were transported to Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, for treatment.