Wednesday, June 14, 2000

Accused fighter felt threatened

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Neighbor's condition worsens

By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        MASON — Dennis Rock told police that he punched his neighbor Gary Kretzer after Mr. Kretzer threatened him with fighting words and a balled-up fist over a parking dispute June 3.

        But, as the case of felonious assault against Mr. Rock was sent to a grand jury Tuesday, Mason Prosecutor Robert Peeler said an eyewitness account indicates the former minor league baseball pitcher struck Mr. Kretzer “multiple times.”

DENNIS ROCK, (LEFT) TALKS WITH ATTORNEY HAL ARENSTEIN IN COURT. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        The 38-year-old auto worker then staggered back and hit his head on the pavement in front of Mr. Rock's Kenwood Drive residence in the Durfield Estates subdivision.

        While Mr. Rock's lawyer called for a judge to dismiss the charges, saying the incident was self-defense, Mr. Kretzer remained in University Hospital on Tuesday in critical condition, suffering from a severe brain injury.

        Michael Davis, a lawyer for the Kretzer family, told the Enquirer that Mr. Kretzer's condition deteriorated significantly since the weekend. Doctors told family members they should consider removing the father of six from a ventilator if he does not improve by Thursday, Mr. Davis said.

        Kimberly Kretzer, who has been at her husband's bedside, has declined re quests for an interview.

        “She is just absolutely grief-stricken. She believes the entire incident was senseless, ridiculous and unnecessary,” Mr. Davis said.

        Doctors have indicated that Mr. Kretzer's condition did not result from the fall, he said.

        “The more severe injury is to the temple,” Mr. Davis said.

        “There is no physical evidence to suggest there was a weapon. It's just the severity of the injury. The doctors have repeatedly asked what he had been hit with.”

        According to testimony from Tuesday's preliminary hearing in Mason Municipal Court, Mr. Rock, who operated a home business giving pitching lessons to youngsters, told officers that Mr. Kretzer was upset about clients parking in front of his house.

        According to Mr. Rock's statement to police, the dispute boiled over after Mr. Kretzer pulled his pickup truck out of his driveway at least twice and parked close to Mr. Rock's pupils' cars, seemingly to block them in. Parking is permitted only on Mr. Kretzer's side of the street.

        Mr. Rock, a 45-year-old father of two, told Officer John Cullen that Mr. Kretzer then came across the street and started an argument.

        “Mr. Kretzer said the matter with the cars "doesn't end here. I'm going to kick your ass,'” Officer Cullen said Mr. Rock told him immediately after the fight.

        “Mr. Rock said he noticed him ball his fist up. He said he was not going to be the first one to take a punch, and he hit him in the face.”

        Mr. Rock, who tried to resuscitate Mr. Kretzer that morning, remains free on bond while his case is presented to a grand jury. If Mr. Kretzer dies, prosecutors said charges will be upgraded, possibly to murder.

        Mr. Rock left the Mason courtroom Tuesday without comment. His lawyer, Hal Arenstein, said he wasn't aware of allegations that Mr. Rock hit Mr. Kretzer more than once.

        “Our feeling is that he fell back and hit his head on the street,” Mr. Arenstein said.

        He said the two men weren't overly friendly before the incident, but they got along. Their children played together and they sometimes lent tools back and forth.

        “It's evident this parking thing really got to Mr. Kretzer,” Mr. Arenstein said.

       

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