A Vancouver man allegedly struck an acquaintance in the head with a billy club because he thought the man stole a mutual friend’s marijuana and has been stealing all of his friends, court records show.
George E. Esser, 35, appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of second-degree assault in connection with the Sept. 1 incident, which began in Portland.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Esser showed up unexpectedly about 3:30 a.m. at Philip Henry and Shanna Mapes’ Portland residence. He asked the couple to give him a ride to Vancouver because his truck had been stolen from a pool hall. He told Henry he would give him cash and methamphetamine in exchange for the ride.
Henry and Mapes drove Esser to Fruit Valley Park, 3202 Unander Road, so that Esser could meet with a man whom he had called. After meeting with the man briefly, Esser returned to Henry’s truck and sat behind the driver’s seat, the affidavit states.
Esser then suddenly struck Henry along the right side of his head with a 10- to 12-inch billy club. Mapes began screaming at Esser and attempted to restrain his hand as he continued to hit Henry. Henry also tried to restrain Esser, court records said.
As Esser hit Henry, he was reportedly yelling and accusing Henry of stealing marijuana from a friend and of stealing Esser’s friends. The couple were able to restrain Esser and made him leave, according to court documents.
Henry later went to Providence Portland Medical Center to be treated for head pain and pain to his left arm. He told police he lost all hearing in his right ear as a result of the assault, the affidavit said.
Police contacted Esser on Thursday and he said he asked Henry for a ride to the park, where he met with a man to buy methamphetamine. He then shared the drug with Henry and Mapes, he said, and they parted ways amicably. He denied the assault, court records state.
During his court appearance, Judge Gregory Gonzales appointed Esser an attorney and set his bail at $50,000.
He will be arraigned Oct. 7.
