An altercation at the Park Street Cantina that could have easily been avoided will now result in jail time for an Ohio State student.
Robert Hayes, a junior, arrived at Cantina around 11:45 p.m. on Saturday night and took a spot at the bar. Around 1:30 a.m., Patrick Cook, a freshman at Columbus State Community College, and his friends attempted to push their way to the front of the bar, shoving Hayes. After confronting Cook about the shove, witnesses report Cook calling Hayes a derogatory term, which lead to the fight.
Hayes grabbed cook and shoved him into the wall. Before Cook could react, Hayes grabbed a bottle and smashed it into Cook’s head.
Mindy Mitchell, another Ohio State student who witnessed the fight, recalled the situation after Hayes used the bottle on Cook.“I just saw blood dripping down his face. I was horrified. I knew I had to get out of there because things were getting out of hand”.
According to the bouncer, after Cook was assaulted by the bottle thrown by Hayes, the two wrestled around on the floor. Cook threw several more punches to the face of Hayes. Hayes began to bash Cook’s head repeatedly against the ground before bounces were able to break up the fight.
As soon as the fight began, the bar manager called the police. Upon their arrival, despite the bouncer intervention, the two men we’re still yelling at each other.
Following the events of that night, Layla Miller, Cook’s fiance, reported that Cook required stitches on the right side of his head, and that they would be charges.
Hayes plead guilty today to aggravated assault charges. He has been sentenced to six months in prison, and will pay a $5,000 fine.
Miller, who went to the sentencing hearing, commented after the court procedure. “It’s just sad because all of this could have been avoided if both parties just chose to think logically. One is injured and the other will be going to prison. I hope Robert’s family gets through this ok.”