SALINE CO.— A purportedly-engaged Harrisburg couple has been jailed before they could take their vows, this for beating on each other.
Police reports indicate that on August 24 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Harrisburg officer Nathan Moore was dispatched on a 911 call to 7 Shaw St., Harrisburg, on a report from a neighbor across the street saying she witnessed a man and woman physically throwing punches at each other in the front yard.
Moore was assisted in his response to the call by HPD officer Brent Davis and Assistant Chief Todd Cavender.
En route to Shaw Street, Moore encountered Janet Baize, 22, of the Shaw Street address.
Moore said Baize was eastbound on Poplar Street from Shaw Street and appeared to be disheveled and was crying.
Moore said he informed Baize he had received a call about her fighting with somebody.
Baize reportedly had dirt on her clothes, back and arms and had scratches on her face and her forehead was swollen.
She had also complained that her ribs were hurting her so Moore radioed for emergency services to meet them at the scene to check Baize.
He reported that Baize at first appeared to be uncooperative and just wanted to walk to her sister’s house.
When asked who she had been fighting with, Baize told Moore that she didn’t want to talk about it because she didn’t want “him” arrested.
Moore had Baize get into his cruiser and he transported her back to the scene.
During that time Baize told the officer that “some unknown male had attacked her in the yard but he left.”
Back at the scene, Ms. Mattingly informed officers that she heard Baize and a male, later identified as Michael E. Lore, 47, of 111 North Michigan St., Harrisburg, arguing about Baize leaving in a car.
Mattingly said that Baize got into the vehicle and revved the engine as Lore stood outside and told her that she wasn’t leaving in the car.
Mattingly said Lore eventually reached into the car and shut it off and that’s when Baize got out of the vehicle and the two started fighting.
She said both Baize and Lore were throwing punches at each other and eventually fought their way into the backyard of the residence, where she could no longer hear them; but Mattingly said she could still hear Baize yelling.
Another check with Ms. Baize turned up the same story about some unknown guy who just popped up out of nowhere and beat on her.
Baize signed a medical release for the paramedics, refusing treatment; and the EMTs departed.
When Moore stepped inside the residence and spoke with Lore he was informed that the two combatants were engaged to be married and that they had been fighting over her trying to leave in the car.
Lore informed police that the vehicle had been loaned to him and Baize and that she, for whatever reason, wasn’t supposed to be driving it.
Officer Moore said that Lore also sported obvious injuries, including scratches to his face, back and chest.
Lore readily admitted the injuries were from Baize attacking him.
Baize later admitted that she had fought with Lore and claimed that he attacked her.
Lore said he didn’t want Baize arrested unless he was going to jail, too.
And since both Baize and Lore admitted to thumping on each other and being thumped on by one another, Mr. Lore’s wish was granted and they were both charged with Domestic Battery, giving the would-be-married couple something else in common.
It is unknown if the nuptials have been called off or not.
What is known is that Baize pleaded guilty September 1 to a misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to probation for one year and ordered to pay $2,052 in fines and fees, of which she has paid nothing.
Mr. Lore, on the other hand, has been charged with domestic violence in the past and so his charge was filed as a felony and he remains behind bars on a $1,000 cash bond.
Given the cost of trials and fines and fees, the idea of a happy wedding may be a moot point.