21st Birthday Goes Awry For Newport Man
A man is now charged with assault after an incident that sent another man to the hospital Thursday evening. Police were called to an address in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue in Newport. The victim, Michael Smelcer, stated that for his 21st birthday he invited a woman to his residence. She showed up with another man, identified by police later as 25 year old Alexander Hassan, who then attacked Smelcer leaving him with a broken nose and lacerations above his eye socket. The female’s vehicle was spotted a short time later by police at Brock’s Market, with Hassan in the drivers’ seat. Hassan had warrants for his arrest so he was immediately taken into custody. Hassan claimed that Smelcer took a swing at him first, to which he responded by hitting Smelcer. There were inconsistencies with the stories from Hassan and the female, so Hassan is now charged with Aggravated Assault. Smelcer’s injuries were such that he was transported to the UT Medical Center in Knoxville.