Most serious charge withdrawn against Florida man
Prosecutors withdrew the most serious charge Tuesday against a Florida man accused of kicking a police officer in the chest while being arrested in Uniontown Aug. 3, police said.
Uniontown police Officer Matt S. Painter said Douglas Charles Aikens, 41, of 82 Preakness Ave., Orange Park, Fla., was charged before Magisterial District Judge Dwight K. Shaner with aggravated assault of a police officer, simple assault, drunken driving, public drunkenness, harassment, resisting arrest and several traffic violations following the incident on Connellsville Street.
During a preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon before Metros, Fayette County Assistant District Attorney J.W. Eddy withdrew the aggravated assault charge and Aikens then waived the remaining charges against him to Fayette County Court.
Painter said the charges were filed after police were dispatched to the area of Park’s Casino for a report of a pickup truck that was “almost running over a car.”
Painter said when police arrived they found Aikens, who admitted that he backed his pickup truck into a car in the parking lot of Park’s Casino, causing significant damage.
As police investigated the incident, they found that Aikens was intoxicated and that his vehicle was not inspected, registered or insured.
Painter said when he tried to take Aikens into custody, he became confrontational and kicked Painter in the center of his chest.
Painter said he and Officer Eric Hanula were then able to gain control of Aikens.
He later refused to submit to a blood test to determine his blood-alcohol level, Painter said.