Fight over mushrooms, rent ends in misdemeanor

An argument over mushrooms and paying rent resulted in a Nashville man being charged with domestic battery on May 4.

Nashville Police Officer Abigail Beaver reported in a probable cause affidavit that she and Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Stargell met with the victim at the Speedway gas station. She said that she had paid rent and made mushrooms for David Wert, 58, which angered him. Wert threw the mushrooms away and the two began arguing. The victim said both had been drinking, according to the affidavit.

The victim said Wert hit her in the head with a Louisville Slugger memorabilia baseball bat, then proceeded to smack her around and choke her. The victim was able to get away, but Wert had her cellphone, so she could not call 911. The victim walked to the gas station to call for help, according to the affidavit.

Beaver reported that the woman had an injury to her head. EMS checked her out, but she refused transport to the hospital. The victim gave police her keys and written permission to enter her home so they could make contact with Wert.

When police arrived, they found Wert sleeping. After he woke up, he told officers he had stayed with a female neighbor and had come home to the victim cooking mushrooms that he had collected. Wert said he didn’t want the victim using all of the mushrooms he had found and that she had burned them, the affidavit states.

Wert said the victim threw the mushrooms away and that they began arguing. He refused to comment on the victim’s injury.

Due to the victim’s injury and statement, Wert was arrested. He was charged with domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor, on May 6.