Drunken 'sword fight' leaves one seriously injured in St. LucieAlso from the news site is a picture of the girly gladius used in the attack:
By Will Greenlee
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
'Sword fight' leaves one seriously injured in Port St. Lucie
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Two roommates were jailed following a Monday confrontation that involved an 18-inch sword and that sent a third person to a local hospital in serious condition, according to arrest reports released Tuesday and officials.
William L. Luciano, 60, and his 48-year-old roommate, Patricia D. Best, were arrested following the attack that happened about 8 p.m. on Hidalgo Lane in the Spanish Lakes community east of U.S. 1 and south of Prima Vista Boulevard.
A witness told St. Lucie County Sheriff’s investigators she saw Luciano “walking around outside swinging a sword and yelling at everyone,” an arrest report states.
The victim’s mother reported seeing Luciano chasing her son out of a home. Luciano cut her son on the arm, and her son broke a dresser and used a piece of the dresser to defend himself.
At least one other witness said Luciano hit the victim with a knife, which a sheriff’s official said was an 18-inch sword with a 13-inch blade, and that the victim defended himself with a broken dresser piece.
Luciano, who was sprayed with pepper spray when he didn’t follow a deputy’s orders, said the victim was trying to hit Best and that he was defending her, reports stated.
“Mr. Luciano told me he was the equalizer to (the victim) because (the victim) was six-foot-four,” a report states.
Investigators said Best admitted hiding a sheath, and they found about a half ounce of marijuana in her room. Best denied knowing about the pot, but Luciano said it was hers, reports stated.
All participants were drunk, according to authorities.
Luciano faces charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest without violence, while Best was arrested on charges including tampering with evidence, accessory after the fact, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The victim was taken to a local hospital in serious condition, a St. Lucie County Fire District spokeswoman said.
