Father, son, charged with attacking stepson at party
Portland police have charged a father and son with aggravated assault after they allegedly attacked another family member and two other people during a weekend party on Pleasant Street.
Capt. Ted Ross said Edward Penney, 40, and Christopher Penney, 18, were arrested late Friday night after an altercation involving Edward Pettey's stepson, whose name was not released. Both men are accused of attacking the victim with blunt objects, including a liquor bottle and a piece of metal pipe.
Edward is charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief and two counts of simple assault. Christopher is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both men were released from Cumberland County Jail Monday afternoon after making an initial court appearance.
Police say the altercation began around 10:30 p.m. Friday after Edward arrived at his step-son's residence at 21 Pleasant Street, where son Christopher was attending a party. Shortly after arriving, Ross said Edward got into an "argument" with his step-son and allegedly started to "trash the residence."
Moments later, the argument moved to an adjacent porch, where Christopher struck his step brother with a liquor bottle "causing him to fall to the porch," Ross said. "Subsequent to that, Edward Penney got another object and struck the victim as well."
Police later identified that object as a piece of metal piping resembling a banister.
"During the course of this, a female apparently trying to intervene got struck by Edward Penney," Ross continued. "Another male victim, also trying to intervene, was also struck by Edward Penney."
Ross said all two victims were treated at the scene and a third was taken to Maine Medical Center and treated and released. It wasn't immediately clear which victim required hospitalization.
Both Penney men allegedly tried to flee when they heard sirens. Police said they caught the men in the area of the apartment building, which is near Gorham's Corner and the John Ford statue.
Ross said police weren't sure what sparked the argument. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the incident, he added, according to a police report indicating Christopher was "not sober" when he was arrested.
