In Case You Missed It CMPD Recruiting Officer Arrested

If you didn't read the brief Charlotte Observer report of this incident please do so here.

The Observer gave a total of four paragraphs to the story and buried the article in the local section.

Now the full details from the Lowell Sun, in Lowell Massachusetts.

A game of poker turned violent on Thanksgiving Day when a North Carolina police officer, who was visiting family in Lowell over the holiday, allegedly smashed a beer bottle against the head of a fellow player.

In Lowell District Court yesterday, Dan Tran, a 31-year-old Charlotte, N.C., police officer, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a bottle) and assault and battery.

While prosecutors sought $500 cash bail, defense attorney Thomas Coombs argued that as a police officer, Tran is well aware of his obligation to return to court and that this is a case of self-defense.

Judge Thomas Brennan released Tran on personal recognizance on the condition that he stay away from the victim. Tran is due back in court Jan. 17.

According to court documents, Lowell police were called to 104 Myrtle St. for a report of a man bleeding. They found the victim, 33, from Lowell, bleeding from the head.

The victim told police that he and some friends were at a friend's home at 104 Myrtle St. playing poker and drinking. Tran and the victim allegedly got into a fight over who should put a bottle of whiskey back in the refrigerator. Tran allegedly came up behind the victim with a choke hold and repeatedly hit him in the head with a bottle of Heineken beer.

The two men struggled on the floor. Tran allegedly struck the victim several times in the head and the victim bit Tran's hand. The other poker players eventually broke up the fight.

When police found the victim, his face was covered in blood. The victim was taken to Lowell General Hospital where staples were used to close the wound on his head, according to court documents.

When Lowell police tried to speak to the owner of the home, he refused to talk to them or allow them inside his house without a search warrant.

Police went to the address where Tran was staying with his wife's family, but no one answered.

When police were able to speak to Tran, he allegedly admitted he was still at the house where the poker game took place, but failed to identify himself to police.

Tran allegedly told police he took exception to the way the victim was bullying a younger poker player. Tran and the victim exchanged words. Fearing the victim would use the whiskey bottle to assault him, Tran grabbed the victim from behind, according to court documents.

As the two struggled, Tran claims the victim had the whiskey bottle in his hand. Tran grabbed a beer bottle and struck the victim in the head in what he believed was an act of self-defense, court documents state.

During the struggle, Tran claims the victim was on top of him punching in the face and he bit Tran's hand, court documents state.

But Lowell police wrote that there were only small amounts of blood on Tran, "casting doubt'' that the victim, who was bleeding profusely, was on top of Tran, documents state.