Leesburg

Saturday, 9 January 2010

Redhouse bouncer charged with attempted murder

A man allegedly beaten with a pool cue Tuesday outside a restaurant by a bouncer and found on the street in a pool of his own blood is in stable condition.

Leesburg police Capt. Rob Hicks said Robert Hamer did not sustain any life threatening injuries in the alleged attack by the Steve's Redhouse Restaurant and Pub employee.

But the attempted murder charges will stick on suspect Paul Lorenzo Cooper, 27, through Hamer's recovery, Hicks said.

Cooper was booked into the Lake County jail early Wednesday morning and released on $5,000 bail in the afternoon.

A police investigative report states "Cooper committed the offense of attempted felony murder by knowingly and willing pursuing a person, while armed with a pool cue, a weapon likely to cause serious bodily injury or death."

"The fact that a person doesn't die during a beating doesn't mean its not attempted murder," Hicks said during an interview.

According to the police report as well as an arrest affidavit, Cooper told investigators that the incident started after an "intoxicated" Hamer got into an argument with a bartender at the West North Boulevard establishment.

Cooper said he escorted Hamer to the door and pushed him out -- and Hamer punched him in the mouth. Cooper then went after Hamer with a pool cue, contending self-defense.

The pool cue broke, at which time a second male allegedly began beating Hamer.

Hicks said investigators are still trying to determine if another man was involved in the attack.

Police responded to the restaurant about 8:40 p.m. after receiving reports that two men were beating a person in a roadway.

The report adds that officers spotted Hamer in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 441 lying in "a pool of what appeared to be blood," with Cooper and another unidentified male in the area - the latter two who were ordered to stand near the patrol car.

Vehicles apparently had swerved around a prone, "lifeless" and "appeared to be dead" Hamer. At least one car stopped in front of Hamer to shield him from being run over by traffic.

The report adds officers assisted Hamer to the side of the roadway. The victim sustained injuries to the face and head and what appeared to be defensive wounds on the back of his hands.

He was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Hamer could not be reached at the hospital Friday for comment, but Hicks said he's in stable condition. A phone call to the restaurant Friday was answered by an answering machine.