Search warrant filed in W-B assault case [The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.]

Oct. 31--WILKES-BARRE -- A city police detective wants to find out if Michael Mackey Jr. injured his hand in a fight that left another man hospitalized with serious head injuries.

A search warrant signed Wednesday by District Judge Martin Kane in Wilkes-Barre gives police the authority to obtain Mackey's medical records from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The warrant did not list Mackey's address.

Detective David Sobocinski wants to know if Mackey, 28, suffered hand injuries in a fight with Anthony Gipson near Joe K's Brewhouse on South Main Street on Oct. 19. Witnesses to the fight allegedly told police that Mackey pursued Gipson and the two men fought in a parking lot near the YMCA on South Franklin Street at about 2 a.m.

Mackey and Gipson "squared off" with Mackey, knocking Gipson out, according to the search warrant affidavit. Witnesses claimed Mackey continued to hit Gipson even though Gipson was unconscious, the affidavit says.

The affidavit says Mackey fled the scene and a friend drove him to a Walmart to get bandages for a hand injury. Police said in the affidavit that Mackey "bled" on the floor of the Walmart.

Mackey stayed at a friend's house in Nanticoke and later was given a ride to Wilkes-Barre General to obtain treatment of a "serious hand injury," according to the affidavit.

Police said they obtained several videos of the fight that allegedly showed people pleading with Mackey to "Chill, chill, chill. It's over Mike ... it's over. You got the win." In several videos, police said in the affidavit, the "punches" can be heard.

Police said Gipson remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Mackey allegedly lied to his friends about how he injured his hand, and posted on his Facebook page that he "hurt" his hand at work.

Sobocinski on Monday contacted Mackey, who made an appointment with the detective. Mackey failed to keep the appointment.

Sobocinski contacted Mackey a second time at which time Mackey replied, "I guess I'm going to get in trouble for defending those two girls. It was just a fight," the affidavit says.

No charges have been filed.

A benefit is planned for Gipson at 3 p.m.Nov. 10 at Bart & Urby's Downtown Bar and Bistro, where he is employed as a cook. Proceeds will go to help with Gipson's medical bills, bartender Erin Kosisky said, noting that Gipson did not have medical insurance and his medical bills continue to accrue.

He remains in the intensive care unit at an area hospital "after suffering severe head trauma and multiple other injuries," according to a letter mailed Tuesday reaching out to businesses, family, friends, "and anybody that is willing to help," asking for donations such as gift cards, gift baskets for raffles, and door prizes.

Billing it as "The Big A-THON," the bar will offer live entertainment and drink specials all day long, guest chefs, raffles and door prizes. A $10 donation will be collected at the door. Call the bar at 570-970-9570 for more information.

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