Fla. man remains held on no bail after early morning fracas at Fairgrounds tent site

Michael Parks (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Florida man accused of first degree assault in a confrontation at the Rochester Fairgrounds earlier this month remains held today at Strafford County Jail on no bail.
Michael Parks, 47, of 1027 NW 9th Ave. Apt. #203, Homestead, Fla,, stands charged with three counts of 1st Degree Assault with a deadly weapon after Rochester Police responded to the area of the Fairgrounds grandstand around 6:35 a.m. on Oct. 5.
When officers arrived on scene they located a male with facial injuries who said the assault occurred at a tent site in a nearby wooded area, according to Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham.
Other officers then went to the tent and spoke with the other parties involved.
"During the investigation, officers learned that a verbal altercation occurred at the tent site and that altercation turned physical," Pinkham said on Wednesday. "As the verbal altercation was taking place, a male grabbed what was believed to be a kitchen utensil such as a butter knife, fork or spoon, and began stabbing the other male involved in the altercation."
The male being attacked then began defending himself by throwing punches, said Pinkham, and as a result, both males sustained minor injuries and were treated by EMS.
Parks was arrested on scene and remains held on no bail at Strafford County Jail.
He faces up to 45 years in state prison if convicted on all three assault charges.