SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake City man accused of attacking an officer and severing a part of his ear with a lawn decoration, was officially charged Monday in the Third District Court.
Leon Dane Hall, 23, was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony and interference with arresting officer, a class B misdemeanor.
The charges stem from an incident on Feb. 2 where Salt Lake City Police Officer Leong responded to a report of a man banging on an apartment door at Pauline Apartments, near 100 South and 300 East. The man was described as wearing shorts, a dark jacket and possibly on drugs.
When Leong arrived on scene, he encountered the man who was later identified as Hall.
Leong asked Hall where he lived, according to the probable cause statement. Hall told the officer he was not going to tell him.
“Officer Leong told Hall that he needed to leave to which Hall responded, ‘where do I go?’” according to the probable cause statement.
Leong repeatedly asked Hall where he lived and told Hall to go home – but Hall would not leave, police report.
“Officer Leong asked Hall for his ID, to which Hall said, ‘give me your ID,’” the probable cause statement indicates.
Leong asked Hall if he was “high on something” due to his responses. According to the probable cause statement, Hall responded with, “I wish.”
When Hall reached into his pockets, Leong told him to remove his hands and reached for Hall’s arm, the probable cause statement indicates.
Leong and Officer Bang attempted to take Hall into custody and asked the Salt Lake City man again for his ID.
“Hall resisted and yelled at the officers to stop touching him,” the probable cause statement reports.
As officers attempted to push Hall toward their patrol car, the probable cause statement indicates, Hall began to swing at officers. Hall began screaming and Leong repeatedly ordered Hall to stop resisting.
“At this point Officer Bang attempted to gain control of Hall’s upper body and Officer Leong used his baton on Hall’s thigh and lower leg to gain compliance,” the statement indicates.
The statement goes on, indicating Hall continued to resist and shouted “stop,” and “help.”
“Officer Leong used his baton again to gain compliance but Hall continued to resist both officers who were attempting to get Hall to put his hands behind his back in order to handcuff him,” according to the probable cause statement.
The officers were able to take Hall to the ground. It was at that time that Leong saw a metal object, later identified as a lawn ornament, in Hall’s hand.
Hall swung and hit Bang in the head and attempted to hit Leong, according to the probable cause statement.
Other officers arrived and took Hall into custody.
“Officer Bang sustained two gashes to his head, one of which severed the lower portion of his ear,” the probable cause statement indicates.
Leong was not struck by the lawn ornament.
