Fla. Lawyer Allegedly Smashed Plate Over Fellow Wedding Attendee's Head When He Allowed Others to Cut in Buffet Line
A Florida lawyer was arrested last month after allegedly assaulting another guest at a wedding — all over cutting in a buffet line.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested Mark Roher, 52, on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to Miami New Times, Boca News Now and WPEC-TV.
According to a police report obtained by the outlets, Roher had been in a buffet line at a wedding held at the Boca Lago Country Club when another guest let two young girls into the line in front of him. Witnesses allegedly told police that the move caused Roher to get upset.
Roher and the man in front of him began arguing, and the man then told police that he had 'turned around to avoid further contact' in order to attempt to 'remove himself from the situation,' per the report, according to the outlets.
"The slimmer man ignored the man yelling at him and did not respond," the police report said, per Miami New Times. "Without provocation, the large, bald man struck the slimmer man on the head with a dinner plate. From thereon, a melee began between a large number of the wedding guests."
Another witness 'confirmed' the story in the police report, saying that 'the plate had shattered and that Mark then pushed the victim and was holding him by the collar.' She said she then saw other guests 'separated the two individuals' and saw Roher attempt 'to walk back over' to the man, according to the outlets.Witnesses told Boca News Now that the incident happened at the prime rib buffet line.
Roher allegedly confirmed to police that he was upset that he was cut in line and got into an argument with the other man, but denied hitting him with a plate, per Miami New Times and Boca News Now. He also claimed to police that it had been a "dry party," in which no alcohol was being served, per the outlets.
An officer wrote in the police report, per Boa News Now: 'I find probable cause that Mark Roher is in violation of Florida Statute as he did actually and intentionally touch and strike the victim and in doing so used a plate as a weapon.'
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
A court date for Roher is still pending, per the outlets.
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