Two men suspected in Vancouver group assault appear in court

Two men wanted for their alleged involvement in a drunken brawl that broke out last May and left one man with serious brain injuries appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Kolo M. Eliesa, 33, and Tupou A. Eliesa, 30, both of Portland, face allegations of one count of first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault stemming from the incident, which took place outside Vancouver’s Q Nightclub & Lounge on May 18, 2014.

The men are reportedly relatives.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court, the two were allegedly part of a group of men who assaulted a couple and their children and friends as they were leaving the nightclub at 704 Main St.

The fight, which witnesses said involved more than a dozen people, began after one alleged victim, Allen Jessie, reportedly bumped into an unknown woman while crossing the street with his wife, Desiree Jessie. He said he apologized to the woman, but she instigated a fight and followed the Jessies to their limousine. Allen Jessie and the woman he bumped into exchanged words, and then she called over a group of men, according to court documents.

One of those men allegedly punched Allen Jessie in the head, knocking him unconscious, court records said. Desiree Jessie, who had retreated inside the vehicle, opened the door to get help. As her sons and their friends left the vehicle, they were assaulted by the group of men, court records said.

At least three people were treated at hospitals. Allen Jessie sustained life-threatening injuries, and his recovery included cognitive and speech therapy. He missed about eight months of work, according to the affidavit.

Club security later identified two of the alleged attackers as Kolo and Tupou Eliesa.

During their hearings, Judge Derek Vanderwood appointed an attorney to represent Kolo Eliesa. Tupou Eliesa did not qualify for a court-appointed attorney and must hire his own.

Both men are being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. They are scheduled to be arraigned June 10.