One injured, two arrested in Oak Bluffs bar fight

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Two men face assault charges after a bar fight that left a West Tisbury man seriously injured.

On February 25, Oak Bluffs police responded to Season’s Pub on Circuit Avenue at 1 am, closing time.

Ryan Kurth, 27, of West Tisbury, told them he was punched in the face, knocked down, and kicked in the face several times.

Mr. Kurth refused medical treatment at the scene, according to police. He was unable to name his attacker, and witnesses could not give police any names. The two suspects left before police arrived.

Mr. Kurth was later treated at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, then transported to Boston for surgery. According to court documents, he suffered a broken jaw and injury to a tooth.

Officer Jeff Labell followed up the next morning, arranging photo arrays for witnesses. He was able to find and arrest two suspects.

Jerome C. Williams, 24, of Homewood, Illinois, was arraigned in Edgartown District Court on February 27, with aggravated assault and battery. Mr. Williams, who is currently living in Tisbury, posted $800 bail and was released.

Also arrested, Nigel P. Gibbs, 27, of Dorchester, also living in Tisbury, was charged with aggravated assault and battery and an additional charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He posted $800 bail.

The victim and the suspects gave conflicting accounts of how the fight began. Mr. Williams told police that Mr. Kurth fell on him and knocked a drink out of his hand. Mr. Kurth told police he was trying to break up an altercation between two women, when he was sucker punched.