FOLEY, Minn. - Prosecutors have charged a central Minnesota man with punching a legislative candidate in the face during a discussion about politics.
Fifty-three-year-old Richard Donald Schmit of Foley is charged with one felony count of third-degree assault and two misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree assault.
Republican House candidate Shane Mekeland called police to report he was assaulted the night of Oct. 12. The complaint said a man, who was previously identified by Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck as Mekeland, reported being assaulted the night of Oct. 12. Mekeland reported the incident the following day, according to past media releases from Heck.
Prosecutors say Mekeland was sitting on a barstool at Jack and Jim's bar in St. George Township talking with Schmit about politics. During their discussion Schmit allegedly said "you [expletives] don't give a [expletive] about the middle class," the complaint said, and punched Mekeland in his face by his left eye.
"The punch was hard enough that the barstool, with a high back, went over backwards taking (Mekeland) with him to the floor," the complaint said. Mekeland told police he hit his head on the floor and passed out.
The complaint said Mekeland's medical records show he sustained "a closed head injury, concussion, nasal injury" and broken blood vessels in his eye.
A witness in the bar said Mekeland had "made a comment about eliminating the middle class" to which Schmit "got very upset and said 'I am the middle class,'" and punched him, the complaint said.
Court records don't list an attorney who could comment for Schmit. He's due in court Nov. 15.
