News

November 13, 2009

Farmer is found guilty in dispute

Cops: Public Square argument over quality of peaches results in charge.

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter
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WILKES-BARRE – A fruit farmer who got into a dispute with a customer over the quality of the farmer’s peaches was found guilty of harassment following a hearing before a district judge last week.

Steven C. Dunn, 45, of Peach Drive, New Ringgold, was cited with harassment on Sept. 3 after police say he got into an altercation with Leonard Wolfsberger, 65, of Trucksville, at the farmers’ market on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.

A press release issued by police after the incident said Dunn told police Wolfsberger had purchased peaches from his stand, then returned several minutes later. Dunn said Wolfsberger began squeezing the peaches, then threw them at Dunn, who then pushed Wolfsberger to the ground.

Contacted Thursday, Wolfsberger said he was upset because the quality of the peaches was poor. He said he tried to return them to get his $4 back, but Dunn refused to give him a refund.

“They were mushy,” Wolfsberger said. “I told him to give me my money back, and he said ‘Have a nice day.’ He was totally unreasonable. The whole incident would have been resolved if he gave me my money back.”

Wolfsberger acknowledged he threw a peach, but said he aimed it for the trash, not Dunn. Wolfsberger said Dunn grabbed him and threw him to the ground, injuring Wolfsberger’s neck.

Police cited Wolfsberger and Dunn with harassment. The men were scheduled to appear before District Judge Martin Kane on Nov. 4. Dunn failed to appear at the hearing and was found guilty and ordered to pay a total of $240.50 in fines and court costs, according to court records. Kane dismissed the citation against Wolfsberger.

A man working at Dunn’s stand at the farmers’ market on Thursday said Dunn was not there that day. Dunn did not return a phone message left with the worker.

Terrie Morgan-Besecker, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7179.

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