Not A Country For Old Men

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USA TODAY
84-year-old Ohio man assaulted for having Biden campaign sign in his yard

Leonard Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune

Tue, October 27, 2020, 10:53 AM PDT

COSHOCTON, Ohio – An 84-year-old Ohio man was assaulted at his home for having a Joe Biden campaign sign in his yard, according to the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office.

While responding to an assault call in Coshocton, approximately 70 miles east-northeast of Columbus, on Oct. 22, Deputy Tyler Mann found an 84-year-old man who was bleeding on the left side of his face and right hand.

The victim told the deputy that Melvin E. Wallace attacked him during a confrontation as the victim was getting out of his car at his home. The 84-year-old man was later transported by Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services to the emergency room of Coshocton Regional Medical Center for treatment of wounds.

The deputy spoke with a neighbor who witnessed the incident and said Wallace was punching and kicking the victim.

Wallace, 69, of West Lafayette, was formally charged on Monday with assault, a first-degree misdemeanor, in Coshocton Municipal Court. Wallace has not been booked in the Coshocton Justice Center. He is scheduled for another hearing on Nov. 18 in municipal court.

The assault victim told the deputy that a few days before the assault, Wallace had come to the man's home and asked why he had a Biden sign in his yard. The victim said Wallace became angry, and the victim said he closed the door and told Wallace to leave.

The deputy's report says he made contact with Wallace and questioned him about the assault. Wallace admitted to having visited the victim before and was angry about the way he was treated. Wallace was still angry a couple of day later and decided to return to the victim’s home. When Wallace was told to leave again, the two got in a fight, according to the report.

The deputy noted Wallace had no visible injuries and Wallace said he was not hurt. When deputy asked about the injuries to the victim, Wallace said they were caused by man's glasses. The deputy said the injuries might have been caused by the glasses, but as a result of the assault, and Wallace agreed, the report said.