Liquor, Crack Cocaine Blamed for Alleged Attack With Meat Cleaver, Coffee Pot

A June 22 birthday celebration ended with a trip to jail for a Winder man after he allegedly used a meat cleaver and a coffee pot during a confrontation which, according to police, was fueled by liquor and crack cocaine.

When a Winder police officer arrived at the Turtle Creek Drive home to investigate the incident, blood was visible at the front door and on the floor and wall at the entryway.

According to an incident report, witnesses who were at first reluctant to speak with the officer said the suspect, 41-year-old Frank Thomas Panstingel of 175 Turtle Creek Drive in Winder, was celebrating his birthday, drinking liquor and “smoking crack” before he “got out of control.” When the suspect reportedly wanted to drive somewhere, a physical altercation ensued and he grabbed a meat cleaver and began swinging, connecting with one of the individuals involved. When witnesses managed to get the meat cleaver away from the suspect, he reportedly picked up a coffee pot and continued to argue before that weapon was taken away, as well.

The suspect then exited the residence before returning to grab a butcher knife. The same individual who was cut with the meat cleaver reportedly grabbed a chair to defend himself but was cut on the wrist.

When police arrived, the suspect had left the residence. He was located by a K-9 unit, taken into custody and transported to an emergency room for treatment, where he told police he was getting “lippy” with his girlfriend before he was pushed to the ground and struck in the face eight or nine times by one of the witnesses.

The suspect was released from the hospital several hours later and was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, battery, criminal trespass and criminal damage to property in the second degree.

The bloody meat cleaver that was found at the scene was taken into evidence.