Police called to break up lawyer feud

Staff report

BOARDMAN — A former Mahoning County commissioner says he was struck by another attorney at Mahoning County Court here.

Police were called about 12:30 p.m. Monday to the court building, U.S. Route 224, where they separated Atty. David Engler and the other attorney, whose name was redacted from the police report because no charges have been filed.

The two had a hearing, and Engler said he was holding a check made out to the other attorney and was going to have it recorded as payment.

Engler told police that the other attorney struck him across the face, knocking him to the ground, and Engler yelled for help.

The police report says that Engler admitted that before being struck, he told the other attorney that $500 was worth it to “get your stank out of my office.”

The other attorney denied the assault and told police that Engler was taunting him and holding the check up in the air. He said he reached for it and Engler pulled it away, at which time the other attorney’s hand made contact with Engler’s face. There were no witnesses to the incident.

When contacted Tuesday, Engler declined to identify the other lawyer.

“Sometimes in court, people have a difficult time controlling their emotions,” he said. “I’m moving on.”