Patient accused of punching officer at Colorado hospital

A 44-year-old man faces several charges after he allegedly punched a police officer at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colo., early Wednesday morning, according to The Daily Sentinel.

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According to arresting documents, police brought Patrick Eugene Pool to St. Mary’s Tuesday night for an undisclosed reason. Mr. Pool would not cooperate with hospital staff and demanded to speak to “a man” instead of the female attending physician, according to the affidavit for Mr. Pool’s arrest.   

Police officers arrived back at the hospital after midnight, and Mr. Pool reportedly refused to leave with them. Officers put Mr. Pool in a wheelchair, and Grand Junction police officer Jacob Edmiston restrained him by holding onto his right hand. When it appeared Mr. Pool was attempting to bite Mr. Edmiston, another officer pushed Mr. Pool’s head. Mr. Pool responded by punching the other officer in the chin, according to the arresting documents.

After police loaded Mr. Pool into a patrol car, he allegedly damaged the transport cage inside the vehicle.

Mr. Pool is charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, which is a felony, and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, criminal mischief and trespass.

He is being held in Mesa County Jail and is scheduled to return to court Jan. 5.

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