A Florida-based lawyer, Mark Roher, 52, was recently apprehended following a physical dispute at a buffet line, according to local law enforcement. Palm Beach County Jail records indicate that Roher is facing a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The incident, which began as a verbal disagreement, escalated into violence, leading to Roher’s arrest.
The altercation took place on January 18 at the Boca Lago Country Club in Boca Raton during a wedding reception. According to a police report obtained by local news outlets, Roher was waiting in line at the prime rib carving station when two young girls allegedly cut in front of him. This led to a confrontation between Roher and the father of one of the girls.
A deputy’s report stated that the other man, described as slimmer, did not respond to Roher’s verbal aggression. Without any apparent provocation, Roher, described as a large, bald man, allegedly struck the other man on the head with a dinner plate, sparking a brawl among several wedding guests.
The victim’s account of the incident aligns with the deputy’s report. He claimed that Roher, upset about being cut in line, approached him and initiated an argument. The victim attempted to disengage from the situation by turning away, but Roher allegedly hit him over the head with a plate and grabbed him by the collar.
A staff member at the event corroborated the victim’s account in a sworn statement. The worker confirmed that the plate shattered upon impact and that Roher pushed the victim while holding him by the collar. The staff member also stated that other guests intervened to separate the two men, but Roher tried to approach the victim again.
When questioned, Roher initially invoked his Miranda rights. However, during a subsequent interview at the Palm Beach County Sheriff District 7 Substation, he agreed to speak. Roher admitted to being upset about being cut in line and initiating an argument with the victim. He also confessed to pushing the victim first but denied hitting him with a plate. Roher told investigators that the reception was a “dry party.”
Roher also claimed to have sustained injuries during the altercation. He stated that he was hit in the face, underarm, and shin when he was escorted away from the scene. Roher was taken into custody earlier this week and was later released on a $1,000 bond, according to sheriff’s office records.