Laconia Man Tased After Allegedly Spitting On Woman

CONCORD, NH — A domestic dispute on Christmas Eve led to charges against a Laconia man after he allegedly spit at a woman and then, squared off with police when they came to investigate the incident. Ernie Clark, 48, of Baldwin Street in Laconia, was arrested on Dec. 25, 2017, for domestic violence-simple assault, simple assault, and resisting arrest or detention. Police were sent to Pierce Street at around 11:30 p.m. after a woman reported a man and woman staying with her arguing.

Editor's Note: This post was derived from info supplied by the Concord Police and Concord District Court. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for New Hampshire’s Patch police reports.

When they arrived, officers spoke with the victim – a woman – who stated she was wrapping gifts for a family member when Clark allegedly got up from a bed, spat in her face, and made derogatory remarks at her. She reportedly stated she cleaned herself off and then, continued to wrap gifts. But, within a few minutes, Clark allegedly “got loud and started banging things, continuing to yell at her and call her names,” waking up at least one person in the home.

Officers then spoke to the homeowner, who explained she was renting a room to Clark and when she came home, heard about the incident and told the victim to go downstairs. Clark allegedly followed and began “causing problems by yelling and screaming and banging things.” Nothing was broken, she noted, but she called police.

The victim didn’t appear to be physically injured but she was red-faced and disheveled, as if she had been crying for some time, the affidavit alleged.

After speaking to other witnesses, officers went to speak with Clark who was reportedly upstairs in his room. As officers attempted to speak with him through a door, he allegedly stated, “No” and “Goodbye,” but nothing else. Later, he allegedly added, “F--- off.”

After a bit of time, officers announced to Clark that he was under arrest and needed to open the door. When he didn’t, they forced it open, pushing against the door, which had a recliner and table against it while Clark was also allegedly trying to hold it closed, the affidavit noted.

After tussling with the door and getting it partially opened, one of the officers Tased Clark in the chest and he allegedly took a few steps back, tensed up, and then swatted the wires away. The reporting officer then jumped over the recliner and ordered Clark to the ground.

Clark was cuffed and as officers attempted to bring him down a flight of stairs, he allegedly joked, “Watch this” and “Get ready for this.” The reporting officer stated that he appeared to be attempting to take the officers down as they walked him down the stairs. He was held without bail.

According to the Laconia Daily Sun, Clark was arrested in March 2015, for possession of a narcotic drug with intent to distribute and sales of a narcotic drug after being detained by probation and parole officers for probation violations. Back in 2010, according to Fosters.com, he was indicted for habitual offender after driving in Belmont and being charged with DWI-subsequent and criminal threatening for allegedly threatening the state trooper who arrested him. He was found guilty in March 2011.

Image via Tony Schinella, Patch staff.