Attack founded on a lie results in arrest

TIMES STAFF WRITER

ELLISBURG — Joshua M. Mitchell, 19, of 14621 County Route 85, Mannsville, was jailed Wednesday because an apparent lie prompted him to invade a house and assault the resident, according to court documents.

Mr. Mitchell was arrested by state police on charges of first-degree burglary and endangering the welfare of a child. Pamelia Town Justice Richard C. Baker set bail at $5,000, sending him to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown. He awaits grand jury action.

The victim, Andrew P. Vincent, 33, of 9248 Swan Road, suffered head and face injuries in the Monday night incident, and was treated at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown.

Documents presented in town of Pamelia Court indicate that a woman made a false claim about Mr. Vincent to Mr. Mitchell, who then became determined to issue some punishment. A person telephoned Mr. Vincent to warn him of possible trouble, and another woman went to the Vincent home hoping to intervene. The woman tried to hold the door closed when Mr. Mitchell arrived, but he forced it open and attacked Mr. Vincent, according to the documents.

The two men struggled to the floor, where Mr. Vincent was able to restrain his attacker and enlighten him about his false information.

There were four children, ages 2 to 12, in the house at the time, and one of them, Mr. Vincent’s 12-year-old son, entered the room where the altercation was occurring, a court document indicates.