z-7900

Garrett Erickson LAWE 223 Narrative Report 8 Preliminary information: Reporting Party: Victim William Andrew Murdock DOB 4/3/85 20418 Fieldcrest Drive, Regal, MN 56362 (320) 685-5555 Bartender Jeffery Lee Kowalski DOB 3/22/55 213 Main Street, regal, MN 56373 Work (320) 685-1244 Witness Tanya Ann Siefert DOB 1/13/87 564 Bryant Street, New London, MN 56273 Cell phone (320) 685-6788 Suspect Michael Joseph Olson DOB 2/3/85 123 Maple Road Regal MN 56362 Unemployed Reporting party statement After arriving at the scene of the call I spoke with Jeffery Kowalski who is the bartender who was working at the time of the incident. Jeffery tells me that for the past 6 years he has worked at the County Line Bar on the 4pm to close shift. He stated that William Murdock, or Bill as most people called him, and his girlfriend Tanya are regulars that come most every week to play pool. Jeffery told me that they both cam in around 8 pm, ordered a pitcher of beer and started playing pool near the back of the bar. He told me that around 9:45 the big guy whom he had never seen before came in and was hanging around the pool tables watching them play pool. After a while he said that the big guy put a quarter on their pool table indicating that he wanted to play after them. Bill won their game, but the big guy wanted to play against Tanya who did not want to play with him and that he should find someone else to play with. Both Bill and Tanya went to leave the table when they big guy grabbed the pool stick out of Bills hands, threw it on the floor and shoved Bill very hard. Bill tried to leave and stated that he did not want to fight but the big guy kept coming. Jeff stated that he had glanced away and then after looking back the big man was punching Bill. Jeff told me that was when he called 911 and went over to help stop the fight. He stated that it took some time for them big guy to realize that the cops were coming before he ran out the door. After Jeff noticed how badly beaten Bill was he asked Tanya to call for an ambulance He stated that Bill was having trouble breathing and that there was a lot of blood coming from his mouth. Jeff gave me a description of the big man as being well over 6ft tall with long shaggy, dark brown hair. He looked to be in his 30's and was maybe 250lbs. He was also wearing blue jeans and a black sweatshirt. Nobody noticed what vehicle the man left in. Witness statement (Tanya Siefert) Tanya told me that after arriving around 8:30pm they ordered a pitcher of beer and started playing pool. After playing for a good hour she went to change the music on the jukebox when she noticed the big man watching them play. While they were playing the man put a quarter on the table and indicated that he wanted to play. Bill won their game and so was then meant to play the big man, but Tanya stated that the man did not want to play Bill, he wanted to play against her. After telling the man Bill was supposed to play him and the man insisting that he wanted to play her, she told me that she lost interest and did not want to play anymore. After a few more tries she said that Bill lost interest in playing pool as well and told the big man that he would have to find someone else to play with. She then stated that the big man then walked over to Bill, grabbed the pool stick and threw it on the ground and started pushing Bill. Bill told him he did not want to fight but the big man started punching Bill in the face while Bill was trying to block his punches with his hands. She stated that after the bartender Jeff came over to help stop the fight then man tried to hit him as well before realizing that the cops were called, and he ran off. Tanya stated that the man was a white male around 250lbs with a heavier build. He also had blonde hair with blue eyes. He was wearing blue jeans and a black sweatshirt. She also stated that he had a tattoo on his neck but that she did not remember what it looked like. She did not notice what car he was driving since she was helping Bill and calling the ambulance. Officers' Actions County Line Bar After taking everyone's statements I looked over the sconce. I found the quarter on the pool table farthest from the door just where both witnesses had stated it was. There was also a broken pool cue and a small pool of blood with droplets all over and on the pool table. After making a sketch of the sconce I took multiple pictures from different angles. I then swabbed a few different sources of blood droplets and the pool, I took the swabs and both the quarter and broken pool cue as evidence. Jeff informed me that there was unfortunately no video surveillance. I gave my card with my phone number and email and the case number to both Tanya and Jeff in case they had any questions. Rice Memorial Hospital After arriving at Rice Memorial, I spoke to Bill Dr. Who told me that I would not be able to speak with him right now since he was in surgery to fix his lip. The doctor told me that Bill would need at least 10 stiches and would need plastic surgery. I was able to get Bills medical records and as I was going through them Dispatch called to notify me that someone had called in an anonymous tip stating that Michael Joseph Olson had been bragging about "kicking someone's ass" at the County Line Bar earlier in the night. They also informed me that Olsen was reportedly at his residence. Suspect statement After looking up Olsen's address under his name and DOB I drove to his home and knocked on the door. Olsen answered and allowed me to come in. After telling him why I was there and reading him his Miranda Rights I asked if I could talk with him about what happened and that if I could also record our conversation. He told me that he understood his rights. He told me the following: He went to the County Line Bar around 9:30 and had a couple of drinks at the bar. After about half an hour he noticed a hot chick playing pool with a guy. He stated that he went to their table and placed a quarter on the table to indicate that he wanted next game. He stated that there was an altercation between him and the man with the girl. He said that he first pushed the man then ended up fighting him. He stated again that he just pushed him but then punched him several times in the face. The bartender came and tried to stop him telling him that he had called that police. Olsen stated that it wasn’t that big of a deal and that he just went home after. When I asked if the man had tried to fight back, Olsen stated that he had not, that he had instead held up his hands to defend himself and was saying it wasn't worth it. Olsen stated that he did not believe that he had hurt the man that much. He did state that he was drunk, he had 6 beers before arriving at the bar and 3 to 4 while he was there. He stated that he was not hurt because he didn’t even think that the man had hit him back. After finishing my notes and securing my recorder I informed Michael Olsen that he was under arrest for assault and I asked him to place his hands behind his back. He complied, and I cuffed him making sure the cuffs were secure. I then placed him in the back of my squad and seat belted him. I took him to the Kandiyohi County Jail and started him on booking. Disposition I charged Olsen with assault in the third Degree 609.223. After the victim William Murdock is out of surgery I will follow up with him and get a statement from him about what happened. After this interview I will clear the case by arrest.