(PORT CHARLOTTE) Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Port Charlotte man Sunday for swinging a sword and cutting his brother over an argument about buying synthetic marijuana. Charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon was William Russell Voswinkel Jr., 23, 2143 Starlite Lane.
CCSO responded at 3:20 p.m. to the Voswinkel home concerning an argument between Voswinkel and his 21 year old brother that resulted in an injury. Deputies reported there were several people in and outside the home when they arrived and all subjects were uncooperative at first and refused to provide any information. Deputies said the two brothers changed their statements repeatedly and became more verbally aggressive toward the deputies fearing an arrest was eminent. The home was in total disarray and there was blood throughout the house and on the floor.
Deputies finally learned that Voswinkel went into a room where a collection of various knives and swords were kept. Voswinkel picked up a sword and began swinging it in a circular motion. He told deputies he was very upset from the argument over the synthetic marijuana and was swinging the sword in anger. His brother entered the room, saw the sword, and was in fear knowing that Voswinkel has a criminal past and has been violent before.
As the sword was twirling in the circular motion, his brother put his hand out and grabbed the sword by the blade in defense of the blade striking him. The sword lacerated his right hand between the thumb and index finger. Voswinkel told deputies he was so emotional that he walked out of the room and smashed his fist through the fish tank, cutting his hand. Charlotte County EMS was called and the injured brother refused treatment; Voswinkel was treated at the scene.
Deputies finally were able to determine that Voswinkel was the primary aggressor; he was arrested and taken to the Charlotte County Jail. Voswinkel, a convicted felon, remains in jail on no bond.