October 23rd, 2019
By Jared Atha
A Cordell man was arrested recently after threatening law enforcement with an axe.
According to a probable cause affidavit 33-year-old William Everrette Merkey was arrested at a residence in Rocky on the evening of August 20th after police were called to the home. According to the home owner, Merkey had become intoxicated and disruptive and was told to leave. He allegedly attempted to leave but wound up getting his truck stuck in a nearby bar ditch.
An officer arrived on the scene where he found Merkey still occupying the vehicle. Merkey told the officer that he planned to stay in the vehicle and sleep, however a short time later the officer, who had parked nearby to monitor the suspect, heard glass break at the home along with shouting. The affidavit stated that Merkey had tried to gain access to the home and had broken a porch light in the process. While the officer and his backup attempted to arrest the suspect, Merkey grabbed a large piece of wood and said he planned to go into the home, get his gun, and shoot the officers. After a short discussion, the suspect threw the large piece of wood at the officers and ran to the back of the home.
Once officers caught up with Merkey, they found him wielding an axe and holding it in a throwing manner. Eventually officers were able to talk the suspect into dropping the axe, where he was arrested shortly after.
After interviewing the homeowner, it was discovered that there was indeed a 9 millimeter hand gun in the home that belonged to the suspect.
Merkey was booked into the Washita County Jail and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm after a former felony conviction.
A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for Merkey on November 5th.