A groom, his brother and a member of the bridal party were arrested early Monday when a drunken fight erupted after the newlywed was accused of harassing a server working at the wedding reception aboard the Gateway Clipper.
Mark Andrew Williams, 33, of Crafton, who had been married only a few hours, was charged with riot, harassment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication after his arrest during what a criminal complaint calls a "tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situation" at 12:55 a.m. that drew a crowd to the Clipper fleet dock at Station Square.
His brother, David Williams, 35, of Plum, an off-duty state police officer, was charged with riot, assaulting two Pittsburgh police officers, resisting arrest and related crimes.
Brian Alvin Taylor, 31, of McKees Rocks, a member of the wedding party, is charged with the same crimes as Mark Williams.
They were arraigned in Night Court and released after posting bond to await preliminary hearings scheduled on Sept. 11.
Members of the Taylor and Williams families declined to comment.
"I can confirm that a trooper was arrested during this incident," state police spokeswoman Maria A. Finn said. "He is on leave for now ... he's duty status will be addressed with him prior to his next scheduled shift."
According to the criminal complaint:
When officers arrived, they found Mark Williams bleeding from the nose and Brian Taylor bleeding profusely from the hand.
A woman who works on the Clipper said that Mark Williams had become "handsy" with her while she was working, touching her several times along the side and her upper hip. He tried to "pour" alcohol down her throat even though she said she was pregnant.
When the boat docked, she called her boyfriend, who admitted exchanging punches with Williams. During the fight, Taylor punched out the front window of a parked vehicle, injuring his hand. The boyfriend was not arrested.
The men are accused of repeatedly resisting arrest and refusing to cooperate with police.
Michael Hasch is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
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