By Joseph Bachman

A bench warrant has been issued for a Rapids man after he failed to appear in court on December 28.

Lucas O’Day, 27, is charged with battery and faces up to a $10,000 fine, or nine months imprisonment or both if convicted of the misdemeanor. The bench warrant was issued after he failed to show for his initial appearance in Wood County Circuit Court.

According to court documents, on November 25 a Wisconsin Rapids Police officer was dispatched to the scene of a reported disturbance where he spoke to a victim who was shoved by O’Day after an altercation with one of the few eyewitnesses on the scene. Once shoved, the victim fell back and hit his head on the pavement which would eventually lead to a five inch laceration on the head which was visible by the officer on the scene.

According to one eyewitness, O’Day was only in an altercation with the other of the two eyewitnesses and not the victim on the scene before O’Day walked up to the victim and shoved him to the pavement.

O’Day has stated on record that he was pushed first by the victim, and his shove was only in retaliation. A warrant for his arrest is active as of December 28.

O’Day was previously free on a $500 signature bond.