Pasadena man is sentenced to 2 years' probation

An Anne Arundel County man was placed on two years' probation Monday for striking the owner of an Ellicott City tavern on the head with part of an axle during a parking lot brawl last October.

Murrell Leroy Parris, 25, of Pasadena, entered an Alford plea to a battery charge in Howard County Circuit Court. He did not admit guilt, but conceded prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him in the attack on James Eugene Myers, owner of the Allview Inn in the 9500 block of Clarksville Pike.

The prosecution dropped charges of assault with intent to murder, assault and a weapons violation as part of the plea agreement.

According to court records, the fight started after a friend of Parrish exposed his buttocks to Mr. Myers and his friends as they entered the tavern's parking lot on Oct. 22, 1993.

Mr. Myers confronted the man and an argument started. Several men joined in and started a fistfight.

During the fight, Parrish, a painting contractor, went to his truck, took a part from an axle and used it to strike Mr. Myers on the back of his head, records say. The blow knocked Mr. Myers unconscious.

Mr. Myers was taken to Howard County General Hospital, where he received 35 stitches, court records say.