By Janice Morse
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - Four men have been indicted in a melee last month in the city's Lindenwald section, according to a grand jury report released Wednesday.

A fifth man, who had been accused of firing a gunshot that struck a teen in the chest, was charged with misdemeanor assault in the June 8 disturbance. The melee erupted in the 2000-2100 block of Benninghofen Avenue as two celebrations, involving alcohol, were breaking up.

Prosecutor Robin Piper said the four are accused of trying to stir up the disturbance "while the police officers did everything they could to quell the situation."

Justin Hobbs, 18, and three 19-year-olds - Jeremy C. Housh, Christopher Johnston and Kevin Albertus - were charged with inciting to violence.

The charge is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Johnston and Hobbs also were charged with harassing a police dog, a charge Piper said is unusual because "most people won't pick on a dog."

Hobbs is also accused of assault on Lt. Greg Dininger, who was injured when his arm was slammed in a door. Dininger is assigned to desk duty while his injury heals.

The men are to appear Aug. 5 in Common Pleas Court.

The misdemeanor case against James Davidson, 52, was sent back to Hamilton Municipal Court. Davidson is accused of shooting Coty R. Retherford, 14, in the chest. Retherford was treated for his injury and released.

Davidson, who hosted one of the parties, has said his gun accidentally discharged.

E-mail jmorse@enquirer.com