Thirsty’s Bar assault trial rescheduled

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A Mitchell man’s aggravated assault trial has been moved to February.

William Watkins, 34, allegedly assaulted Clint Dreyer, 36, also of Mitchell, around 1:30 a.m. Sept. 30 outside Thirsty’s Bar in Mitchell.

A jury trial was scheduled for this month, but it was rescheduled for February due to attorneys’ scheduling conflicts, according to court documents.

Watkins was arrested after he allegedly hit Dreyer with a closed fist on the head and then kicked Dreyer in the head while Dreyer was down.

Dreyer sustained severe trauma to his head and was transported to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, where he remains, according to a CaringBridge website.

A grand jury indicted Watkins in October on the felony charge of aggravated assault. Watkins pleaded not guilty six days afterward.

The trial is set to begin Feb. 14 at the Davison County Courthouse. It is expected to last through Feb. 17.

According to court documents, all motions and any change of plea must be heard and jury instructions submitted by 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Davison County Public Safety Center.

Aggravated assault carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence, a $30,000 fine or both.

Thirsty’s Bar Manager Thomas Somerville is also being charged for allegedly assaulting Dreyer earlier that same night inside the bar. Somerville is scheduled for court this week for an initial appearance on the simple assault charge, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum one-year county jail term, a $2,000 fine or both.

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