From staff reports
A Franklin man was arrested following a physical altercation Wednesday afternoon at the Venango County Courthouse.
Franklin police said William Ziegler, 57, appeared at the courthouse to testify in a hearing as a victim in a crime.
While he was placed in a private room with other witnesses, Ziegler observed a man who he thought had stolen money from him, police said. Ziegler then struck the man several times with closed fists, according to police.
The man was unable to protect himself as Ziegler knocked him down and was sitting on top of him, police said.
The man was actually at the courthouse to testify on Ziegler’s behalf, police said.
Police then determined Ziegler to be under the influence of alcohol.
Ziegler is facing a misdemeanor count of simple assault and a summary charge of public drunkenness.
He was placed in Venango County jail on $10,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing in the case is tentatively scheduled March 8 in Venango County Central Court.
