By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A 49-year-old Chehalis man pleaded not guilty today to shoving a fellow bar patron who then fell backwards onto the floor striking his head.
Sixty-five-year-old Gary Dvojack was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with a fractured skull after the Nov. 30 incident at the Star Tavern in downtown Chehalis. Ten days later, when Dvojack remained unconscious and on life support, prosecutors charged James M. Abbott with second-degree assault.
Abbott pleaded not guilty this morning in Lewis County Superior Court. His trial was set for the week of March 7.
Charging documents in the case suggest it happened after Dvojack stumbled into the bar intoxicated and propositioned the bartender.
The bartender, Laurie A. Rager, told police Dvojack pushed Abbott and Abbott barely pushed him back, but a videotape tells a different story, according to charging documents.
After Abbott pushes him with his left arm and points to the front door, Abbott walks into him bumping him with his body before pushing on Dvojack’s chest with both hands, the documents allege.
The final push occurred after the back of Dvojack’s right hand touches Abbott’s left bicep as Dvojack was talking and gesturing, according to charging documents.
Chehalis police said when they arrived at 10:30 p.m., Dvojack was unconscious in a pool of blood.
Abbott was arrested at his home last Thursday and charged the following day with second-degree assault with aggravating circumstances for excessive injuries.
Dvojack’s blood alcohol level was measured at .3, according to charging documents.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter