Delaware County Daily Times/1974/5 In Family Convicted In Battle With Troopers

5 In Family Convicted In Battle With Troopers

Media Courthouse - A Middletown man, his wife and three sons were convicted Thursday on charges stemming from a battle with state police last year. A jury of eight men and four women handed down the guilty verdicts to five of the six family members who went on trial Monday before Judge Francis J. Catania. One son, Alex Hammelbacher, 19, was acquitted of all charges in connection with the brawl at the family's home in the 200 block of Highland Avenue which occurred Sept. 9, 1973. Richard Hammelbacher, 52, a machinist and ex-Marine, was found guilty of riot, failure to disburse and disorderly conduct. His wife, Rachel, 43, was convicted of disorderly conduct. Three other sons, Richard Jr. 23, John, 21, and Steven, 20, were convicted on several charges including riot and disorderly conduct. Four state troopers testified at the trial concerning the battle which they said included rock throwing and "a lot of pushing, kicking." punching and Trooper John W. Haase described the stones as "grapefruit sized." Several neighbors also testified that stones were hurled and that a fight ensued between family members and police. One of the troopers who took the stand was Randolph Martin, who suffered a severe eye wound when he was hit by a rock during the scuffle and has had to undergo surgery. Martin said when he and his partner arrived at the family's home, there was fight in progress on the porch. He said Mr. Hammelbacher had a stranglehold on John, who was involved in a boxing match with Richard Jr., and Steven. The trooper said when the Hammelbachers saw the police they turned on them pushing and punching and the battle spilled from the porch into the street. He said Mrs. Hammelbacher later joined the melee. Under cross examination, Marlin said he hit the boys with his flashlight and blackjack during the fight. Several members of the family took the stand in their own defense including Mr. and Mrs. Hammelbacher. They both said there had been a fight between Richard Jr. and John in the house. However, they said the two youths had been parted and by the time the state arrived police "everything had quieted down." They claimed the state troopers began beating their son John, with a blackjack when he attempted to tell them the fight was over. The contended Hammelbacher's the family intervened in an attempt to aid John. Judge Catania deferred sentencing pending appeals.