Fayette man on trial for assaulting police officers
A Fayette County man went on trial Monday for attacking two Masontown police officers, allegedly stabbing one, then spraying another with chemical mace.
Jerry Davis, 42, of 105 Virginia Ave., Masontown, said he just wanted to die and cause pain to a police officer he didn’t like.
‘At that time I just wanted (Masontown police officer) Joe Ryan to shoot me. He had caused me so much pain. I just wanted to give some back,’ Davis told jurors.
According to police, on Sept. 15 Davis telephoned Fayette County 911 twice, asking where Ryan was.
Ryan ran across Davis on Main Street and said he threatened his life and had two 10-inch hunting knives.
When Davis left, Ryan picked up Chief John T. Lewis and they went to Davis’ home.
There, Davis had a knife in each hand and came toward Ryan. Lewis said he sprayed Davis with Mace, then grappled with him.
Ryan told jurors Davis grazed Lewis’ arm with a knife. He said Davis picked up the Mace and sprayed him.
‘He hit me right in the eye. I couldn’t see and a I couldn’t breathe,’ he said.
Davis said he was upset that Ryan had placed his children with Fayette County Children and Youth Services.
But on cross-examination, he said he was upset with his wife.
‘I caught her in bed with another man a few days before,’ he said.
Jurors did not hear defense attorney David Kaiser ask for a continuance so Davis could have a competency evaluation.
‘He said he talks to God,’ said Kaiser.
But the request was denied.
The trial is scheduled to continue today in front of Fayette County Judge John F. Wagner Jr.