Larry Kouw is being charged with assault and battery
MANISTIQUE -- Sixty-four-year-old Larry Kouw and 83-year-old Richard Hughson have been involved a neighborly feud for more than three years. At the beginning of May, it turned violent when Hughson's son, Rick, allegedly removed plants on what Kouw believed was his land, causing Kouw's stepdaughters to retaliate by tearing down a fence dividing the properties.
After that, a fight broke out between Rick Hughson and Kouw, which lead to Richard Hughson getting involved.
Wednesday in Schoolcraft County District Court, both men offered very different accounts about what happened during their altercation.
"I saw Larry's boot and it got me right on the side of my face. I know once in the face, but I don't remember that one; it might have been on the video," said Hughson.
"I was on my right side and he grabbed my left leg. Richard twisted my leg. That's when I pulled my leg back and kicked him. I don't know where I kicked him. That's when he said something about his nose or whatever," said Larry.
Police said the fight caused Hughson to sustain a broken nose and ankle, leading Kouw to be charged with assault and battery.
The jury also heard eyewitness testimony from a neighbor who says Kouw was defending his step-daughters during the fight because Hughson punched Kouw's stepdaughters.
Kouw says he shouldn't be facing any charges because he didn't start the fight.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC