Sentences have been leveled against a couple who attacked an elderly man in the parking lot of Dottie West Field after he watched his grandson play baseball.
The man, David Beard, was ordered to serve 30 days of an 11-month, 29-day sentence for domestic assault. He is free on time-served. His wife, Miranda Beard, was placed on probation for an 11-29 period.
The incident happened after the group exchanged words in a Civic Center parking lot after they had been watching a youth baseball game.
“He (Beard) said he had been to prison and didn’t mind going back again,” the victim, Herman Workman, recalled of what led up to the attack.
The words turned violent minutes later in the parking lot as Workman was trying to place his grandchildren, ages 4 and 12, in the car. Workman had legal custody of the children but their mother, Miranda Beard, insisted on speaking with them before they left. Workman said he tried to close the door and was met with a punch from Miranda that knocked him to the ground.
The victim said Miranda continued punching him on the ground and that she was joined by her husband who seized Workman around the neck and choked him until he passed out. Bystanders had to pull Mr. Beard off the victim. The Beards were arrested a short time after the assault.