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Our View: On the risks and rewards of 1776

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Pa. Turnpike Commission approves 6 percent toll increase for 2019

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Luzerne County judge issued an arrest warrant for a Wilkes-Barre man who skipped his sentencing Tuesday on charges he assaulted a city police officer last year.</p><p>Dennis Lavar Hall, 39, last known address of North Washington Street, was arrested Nov. 29 after he allegedly assaulted Officer Corey Dumont in the area of South Franklin and Horton streets.</p><p>Under a deal with the district attorney&#8217;s office, Hall pleaded guilty May 9 to aggravated assault, resisting arrest and DUI. Prosecutors withdrew charges of disarming a law enforcement officer and criminal mischief.</p><p>Hall was set to be sentenced before Judge Joseph Sklarosky Jr. on Tuesday.</p><p>When Hall failed to appear, Sklarosky issued an arrest warrant for him.</p><p>Court records do not indicate when Hall posted $25,000 bail.</p><p>According to a criminal complaint:</p><p>Dumont was the first officer to arrive on South Franklin to investigate a swerving vehicle that struck a building. The driver, identified as Hall, fled on foot.</p><p>Dumont chased Hall behind a residence on Regent Street. Hall refused to remove a hand from a pocket, causing Dumont to deploy a Taser that had no effect.</p><p>Hall punched Dumont several times and took away his stun gun.</p><p>Dumont was able to slap the Taser out of Hall&#8217;s hand and dispensed pepper spray. Dumont ingested some of the spray himself.</p><p>Hall then ran away as Dumont gave chase and caught up to him again.</p><p>A good Samaritan came to Dumont&#8217;s aid because he saw the officer was &#8220;struggling to keep the guy down with all his might.&#8221;</p><p>A second officer arrived and was able to handcuff Hall, who was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Dennis-Lavar-Hall.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Hall </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Dennis-Lavar-Hall.jpg</photo0><caption0>Hall </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre man skips sentencing in officer assault; warrant issued