Reply With QuoteThat was interesting. Would hope they got it out of their systems, but doubt that they did. I've had a neighbor or two that I could do without ().
Lordy! I HAD to post this story. No idea, really, as to where this took place. What do you all think? http://www.newburyportnews.com/local...n-family-brawl
A years-long property dispute between two families boiled over into what police described as a "free-for-all" brawl that both families videotaped.
Police reviewed both tapes and pressed charges. In the end, it wasn't the family that threw the first punch that faced the stiffest charges; instead, those charges ended up on the family that police thought had the better odds and lesser injuries in the fight.
Nursing home owner Stephen Bradley Comley Jr., 43, Mansion Drive, Rowley; and his brother Nathan Lewis Comley, 41, 45 Mansion Drive, Rowley, were arrested and charged with assault and battery of a person over 60 with injury, assault and battery and disorderly conduct. If convicted of assault and battery of a person over 60, both could serve up to five years in state prison.
Both were released on personal recognizance under the condition they stay away from their feuding neighbors. The Comleys are expected back in court on Oct. 13 for a pretrial hearing.
The other two combatants, William M. Lazaris, 61; and William M. Lazaris Jr., 29, both of 45 Fenno Drive, Rowley, were issued summonses on charges of assault and battery and disorderly conduct, police said.
Stephen Comley is co-owner of the Sea View Retreat, a well-known North Shore extended-care facility on Mansion Drive in Rowley. It has been owned and operated by the Comley family since its opening in 1954, according to the facility's website.
Rowley police Chief Robert Barker said the brawl revolved around a long-standing property dispute between the families involving a right-of-way both sides claim to own. Barker said the families have gone to court regarding the right-of-way over the years, and police have responded to multiple complaints.
According to police reports, Rowley police have responded to seven complaints since January regarding the dispute. The right-of-way is located near the Mansion Drive nursing home.
In Sgt. Stephen May's report, police received multiple 911 calls shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday involving a fight in progress on Fenno Drive. When police arrived, they found Lazaris Sr. and his son standing on the dirt road with facial injuries. The Lazarises told police they had gotten into a fight with the Comleys, who had left the scene. Police caught up with the Comleys, who admitted their involvement in the fight. A friend of the Comleys said he videotaped the fight and accused Lazaris Sr. of throwing the first punch.
Following the first punch was a fully engaged fight that lasted about four minutes, police said. Police said that all of the combatants had the opportunity to stop or walk away but chose not to. At one point during the fight, William Lazaris Sr. had placed Stephen Comley Jr. in a headlock, allowing Lazaris Jr. to punch him several times in the abdomen. In another instance, Comely Jr. is seen punching Lazaris Sr. repeatedly in the face.
According to the report, the fight began shortly after Lazaris Sr. approached the Comleys, who were clearing brush from the right-of-way to allow vehicles better access to their nursing home. Words were exchanged, followed by pushing and shoving.
Assisting May was officer Perry Collins and Newbury police officers.
Collins said that following the fight, Lazaris Sr. retrieved a .40-caliber Glock handgun from his house in case the Comleys returned. Collins reported he confiscated the firearm and secured it in his cruiser.
Police also confiscated the video camera and another one belonging to Susan Lazaris, the wife of Lazaris Sr. who had also videotaped the incident.
Upon watching both videotapes, police determined there was enough probable cause to arrest the Comleys on charges of assault and battery of a person over 60. Police also determined there was enough probable cause to issue summonses against the Lazarises. It is also apparent from the videotapes that the elder Lazaris had thrown the first punch, according to police.
Barker said the Comleys were arrested because officers felt "that the odds were much greater for these two guys" and that neither of them suffered injuries.
Susan Lazaris said her husband suffered a broken jaw as a result of the brawl and yesterday underwent surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston.
She described the dispute as a longtime irritation and said Stephen Comley Jr. parks his bulldozer "in our backyard" and considers the dirt right-of-way "his (expletive) road."
Stephen Comley Jr. did not return a phone call seeking comment.
That was interesting. Would hope they got it out of their systems, but doubt that they did. I've had a neighbor or two that I could do without (
Has anyone ever heard of acting like professionals and adults? Geeez!
I know....case in point.
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