Man Accused of Causing Disturbance at Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Event Appears in Court
A man accused of causing a disturbance at an event attended by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton appeared in court virtually on Tuesday. Patrick Havas faced charges of assault, inducing panic, and disorderly conduct. His lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, and the judge set his bond at $5,000 cash/surety. Havas is accused of pushing through a crowd at the Canfield Fair where Acton was speaking, resulting in two people being knocked down.
During the incident, Havas allegedly pushed toward Acton, prompting the inducing panic charge. The prosecutor stated that Havas had no prior relationship with the victims or Acton. While Havas was found to be carrying weapons at the time, they were not used during the altercation. Both the defense and prosecution confirmed Havas had a prior conviction for disorderly conduct in 2008.
Acton addressed the incident at a Labor Day event in Cleveland, thanking first responders and state highway patrol for their assistance. Witnesses at the event described how Havas pushed through the crowd, causing chaos and knocking down two individuals. Acton ensured the well-being of those affected before being escorted out of the tent for safety.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate and the importance of security measures at public events. Acton's safety and the well-being of attendees were the top priority during the incident.