Chase County fight leads to jail here

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A Marion man arrested after a bar fight in Chase County is spending his jail time in Marion County because of a Chase County Jail employee’s conflict of interest.

Michael W. Sigel, 53, Marion, made a plea deal Oct. 15 in Chase County District Court. Under its terms, he pleaded guilty to six counts of misdemeanor battery.

The misdemeanor battery charges replaced Sigel’s original charges of aggravated battery and obstruction of apprehension, which were dismissed.

Sigel was sentenced Feb. 3 to a year’s probation and ordered to serve 60 days in jail and pay $268 plus restitution in an amount to be determined later.

His 60 days in jail are to be served at least two days at a time.

Sigel was arrested in December, 2023, at his Marion home on suspicion of aggravated battery with intention to cause great bodily harm or disfigurement, interference with law enforcement by resisting arrest, and obstruction of arrest in a felony case.

He ultimately was charged with aggravated battery and obstruction of apprehension.

The charges stemmed from a fight Dec. 8, 2023, at Doghouse Saloon in Cottonwood Falls. Victim Larry Pinkston was taken by ambulance to Newman Regional Health hospital in Emporia.

Pinkston later sued Sigel and Hillsboro resident Chasen Gann for $2.5 million over injuries he suffered.

Chase County Sheriff Jacob Welsh, off duty and at the bar that night, pulled Sigel off Pinkston during the fight. When deputies arrived at the bar, Pinkston already was in the back of an ambulance, covering his eye, which was blackened and swollen shut. His face was bloody from lacerations, and his mouth was full of blood.

According to Pinkston’s petition, Gann attacked him first, “without provocation or warning.” Sigel then joined in the attack, Pinkston claims.

Pinkston claims he suffered severe and permanent injuries, pain, suffering, mental anguish, loss of time, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, economic loss, permanent disfigurement, and permanent disability.

The lawsuit is ongoing.

Sigel’s obstruction charge was for leaving the bar with Gann. Gann told a deputy he had left the scene with Sigel and Jarrod W. Williams.

Gann was charged with aggravated battery and interference with law enforcement. Both charges were dismissed when he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor battery.

He was sentenced to a year’s probation and ordered to pay $273 plus restitution to be determined later and spend 30 days in jail.

No charges stemming from the fight were filed against Williams.