2 men charged with assault on Coal Street roommate
A trio of roomies may have proven that three's not always company.
Butler police arrested two of the roommates — Feng X. Liu, 19, and Michael L. Mowder, 51 — on charges they attacked another roommate earlier this week with baseball bats. Both suspects are charged with misdemeanor assault.
The defendants apparently had grown displeased with the victim, 60-year-old Delmar Silk, police said, and laid in wait for his return Monday night to their Coal Street home.
The alleged beating left Silk with assorted injuries that included swelling and bruising around both eyes and dried blood in his right ear, according to Patrolman Ryan Doctor's affidavit. He also had broken nasal bones.Police spoke to the victim around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday at Butler Memorial Hospital. He allegedly identified his roommates as the bat-wielding assailants.District Judge Wayne Seibel arraigned Liu and Mowder later Tuesday each on a charge of simple assault. Both were released on $5,000 unsecured bail following arraignment.Preliminary hearings for the defendants are scheduled for June 24 before District Judge William Fullerton in Butler.
