A Saturday evening cookout in Marion County escalated into a violent melee that ended with one man stabbed in the neck, a woman injured, and a deputy and nurse allegedly assaulted — all before the ribs even hit the grill.
Deputies arrested James Bradford on July 12 following a chaotic incident at a residence in Marion County, where witnesses say a backyard barbecue turned into a battleground. Bradford now faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability, battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on a firefighter/EMT, and domestic battery, with no bond issued on any of the charges.
The victim, Charles Bellfy, told deputies that he had invited Bradford and his girlfriend, Debra Kogelman, over for a cookout. But tensions flared when Bradford began drinking and grew jealous over Bellfy’s prior relationship with Kogelman. According to the report, Bradford allegedly slapped Kogelman in the face, prompting Bellfy to confront him — at which point Bradford is accused of grabbing a barbecue fork and stabbing Bellfy in the back of the neck.
Bellfy, fearing further violence, said he punched Bradford repeatedly in self-defense. Both men were transported to Ocala Regional Hospital — Bellfy for the stab wound and Bradford for facial injuries sustained during the scuffle.
While at the hospital, the situation only got worse.
Deputies say Bradford urinated on the hospital room floor, then turned and deliberately urinated on a deputy’s uniform. Moments later, as a nurse attempted to administer medication, Bradford allegedly bit her hand.
Kogelman also spoke with deputies, reporting that she had argued with Bradford over his drinking, and that he had struck her multiple times in the face, splitting her lip. Deputies noted visible injuries consistent with her statement.
A background check revealed that Bradford had a prior conviction for battery on specified personnel in Pinellas County dating back to 2006.
Bradford was Mirandized at the hospital and requested a lawyer. He was subsequently transported to jail, where he was held without bond.
The barbecue fork, however, did not survive the evening.
