Courthouse Fiasco: Drunk Man Allegedly Assaults Witness Who Was Testifying on His Behalf

| March 2, 2017

ziegler-1FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – A Franklin man is behind bars following a bizarre case of mistaken identity at the Venango County Courthouse Wednesday.

Franklin Police say 57-year-old William Eugene Ziegler was in court yesterday to testify as a victim in a recent crime.

Police say Ziegler was placed in a private room with other witnesses when he observed a man who he believed had stolen money from him.

Ziegler allegedly struck the man several times with closed fists.

“The victim was unable to protect himself after Ziegler knocked him down and was sitting on him,” said Franklin Patrolman Barnhill in a release issued Thursday.

“The victim was actually at the courthouse to testify on Ziegler’s behalf.”

Ziegler was also found to be under the influence of alcohol “to the degree that he was a danger to himself and others,” according to Patrolman Barnhill.

Ziegler was taken into custody on one count of misdemeanor simple assault and one count of public drunkenness.

He was placed in the Venango County Jail after failing to post bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 8 with District Judge Andrew F. Fish presiding.


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