TT News

October 13, 2009

Wedding party turns violent; three cited

Newlywed, duo face disorderly conduct, other charges after brawl allegedly starts when gown’s lifted.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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PLAINS TWP. – A newlywed and two others were cited by township police after a brawl at a bar inside the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs early Saturday morning.

Police said the fight erupted after Raymond Roberts, 28, of Pittston, bent down and lifted the wedding gown of a bride at Breakers Bar at about 12:30 a.m.

The bride’s husband, Ira Smith, confronted Roberts and knocked him unconscious, police said.

Police said the brawl was captured by the casino’s surveillance system.

According to a police news release:

Marianne Reilly, of Tunkhannock, and her new husband, Smith, arrived at Breakers Bar with their wedding party.

Roberts was a patron in the bar sitting in the corner and “eyeing Reilly” while speaking to his cousin, Michael Kasisky, police said.

Roberts approached Reilly and bent over to lift her gown, the news release says.

Smith approached Roberts and swung at him, knocking Roberts unconscious. Roberts fell to the floor and was aided by an unknown member of the wedding party.

Kasisky became angry and tried to engage a fight with Smith, but was grabbed from behind, placed in a choke hold and slammed to the floor by the person aiding Roberts, the news release says.

Police said numerous patrons and members of the wedding party assaulted Kasisky on the floor. While Kasisky was on the floor, police allege Michael Sallustio, of Millersville, jumped from behind a bystander and struck Kasisky.

Police Chief James O’Malley said Roberts, Sallustio and Smith were cited with disorderly conduct, harassment and public drunkenness.

No injuries were reported, O’Malley said.

Smith and Reilly did not return a message, and Roberts and Sallustio could not be reached on Monday.

Attempts to reach Kasisky were unsuccessful.

According to Luzerne County Court records:

A county judge on Nov. 5, 2008 prohibited Roberts from patronizing places that serve alcohol for 18 months as part of his sentence for drunken driving.

Roberts pleaded guilty to drunken driving after a car crash at River and Diana streets in Plains Township on March 5, 2008. Police said in arrest records that Roberts had a blood alcohol content of .304 percent after the crash.

An adult driver in Pennsylvania is considered intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent.

Roberts was sentenced to 93 days of house arrest and to 18 months in the county’s intermediate punishment program, a special probationary program, which included 75 hours of community service. The program also prohibited alcohol and drug use, patronizing places that serve alcohol, and associating with anyone using alcohol, according to court records.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.

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