The Rochester man who ended up in jail after a bar tab dispute ended in a bloody fight has been charged in the case.
Ramsey Jay Phibbs, 30, made his first appearance Monday in Olmsted County District Court, where he's been charged with obstructing the legal process, a gross misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.
He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court March 14.
The incident began about 1:45 a.m. Saturday, when police were called to Kathy's Pub, 307 S. Broadway, to speak with Phibbs, who employees said couldn't pay his bar tab. Because of the noise inside, the officer took Phibbs outside to deal with him, said Capt. John Sherwin, of the Rochester Police Department.
Once outside, Phibbs took off, running north on Broadway, then rounding the corner and running west on Third Street Southwest, the complaint says. As he ran, someone on the sidewalk tripped Phibbs — sending him to the pavement and knocking him unconscious.
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The pursuing officer called for an ambulance, the report says.
Soon, though, Phibbs came around, got up and tried to run again; the officer was able to grab him, "and the fight was on," Sherwin said.
Phibbs was "bleeding heavily" from a head wound, the report says, and at least twice rubbed his bloody hands on the officer's face. The officer sustained cuts on his knees and hands, Sherwin said, and was so covered in blood he threw his uniform away.
Phibbs was treated at a local hospital for a head laceration and released to jail.
