Most charges dismissed against man in branch attack
The majority of charges filed against a Uniontown man accused of using a tree branch to club another man in the chest for no apparent reason were dismissed during a preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon.
Uniontown police Officer Jennifer L. Field said Adam Dwayne Verbus, 36, was charged in May before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr. with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, disorderly conduct and possession of instruments of a crime for attacking Edward Clark II, 27, also of Uniontown.
Magisterial District Judge Michael M. Metros dismissed nearly all the charges against Verbus but held a single charge of disorderly conduct following a hearing Tuesday.
Field said the incident occurred as Clark was walking on North Gallatin Avenue near the intersection with Locust Street when Verbus and another man rode up behind him on bicycles.
Clark told police that the men startled him but he continued walking, Field said.
Field said Verbus then asked Clark if he had an issue with him, and Clark told Verbus he did not.
Verbus then stated that he “had a problem” with Clark and began to repeatedly yell “you don’t want none of me,” Field said.
Field said Verbus then picked up a large tree branch and began to chase Clark with it, swinging it at him multiple times.
Verbus struck Clark in the chest with the branch and caused a 3- or 4-inch laceration to his left chest, Field said.
Clark then pulled out a pocket knife in an attempt to scare Verbus, but he continued to pursue him and threatened him with a large rock, Field said.
When she arrived at the location after receiving a report of a disturbance, Field said, she encountered Verbus screaming at Clark, who had walked up the road.