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A Lawyer’s Night to Remember
On the night of January 18, a seemingly ordinary wedding reception turned into a chaotic scene that would have far-reaching consequences for Mark Roher, a seasoned Florida attorney specializing in bankruptcy and commercial litigation. Roher, who was attending the event, found himself embroiled in a heated dispute that escalated into a physical altercation, leaving him on the wrong side of the law.
The Buffet Line Fiasco
The chain of events began innocuously enough at the prime rib carving station, a focal point of the wedding reception. Roher, who was looking forward to his meal, became agitated when two young girls cut in front of him in the buffet line. Witnesses reported that Roher attempted to confront the father of one of the girls, Syed Raza, about the rudeness. However, Raza, perhaps unaware of the impending conflict, chose to ignore Roher’s complaints.
The Confrontation
As tensions simmered, Roher’s frustration boiled over. According to a police report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Roher, described as a "large, bald man," struck Raza, a "slimmer man," on the head with a dinner plate. The report detailed that this unprovoked attack ignited a melee involving numerous wedding guests. Roher was also alleged to have grabbed Raza by the collar, further escalating the situation.
Roher’s Perspective
In the aftermath, Roher vehemently denied the charges levied against him. In police body camera footage obtained by Law and Crime, Roher claimed that he was the victim of the evening’s chaos. He stated that he was hit in the face, underarm, and shin during the fight and sustained several injuries. Roher insisted, "I want to press charges against him because out of the numerous people that beat me up, he’s the only one I could identify as kicking me. So he kicked me. I saw him. He’s the only one I saw kicking me, so I don’t know why he’s not getting charged."
The Legal Fallout
Despite Roher’s claims, he was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The plate from the buffet was named the fatal weapon in this case. If convicted, Roher faces up to five years in prison and the possibility of disbarment, which could spell the end of his legal career. An attorney for Roher told Newsweek that they "will be entering a plea of not guilty," signaling their intention to fight the charges aggressively.
The Aftermath
The father of the girl, Syed Raza, was not seriously injured, sustaining only a red bump on the top of his head. However, the incident had broader repercussions. Roher and his wife have been banned from the country club for a year, a measure that underscores the severity of the incident and the club’s commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of letting emotions get the better of us, even in what should be a celebratory setting.
