Doney faces assault charge after allegedly tossing stool at bartender

Authorities charged a local man with assault with a weapon for allegedly hurling barstools at a Libby bartender after being refused service in early February.

Along with the felony assault charge, Thomas Leroy Doney, 40, faces misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for the Feb. 1 incident. He was due in Lincoln County District Court on March 14 for his arraignment, but officials continued the case for one week after he failed to appear.

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Libby Police officer Ronald Buckner first visited the scene, a popular Mineral Avenue watering hole, about 9:40 p.m., according to court documents. Dispatchers had told him that a man at the establishment had argued with employees, refused to leave upon request and, finally, thrown bar stools before leaving on foot.

In an affidavit, Buckner recalled speaking with the bartender and another witness. They told him that Doney entered the bar “already heavily intoxicated.” He started an argument with another patron and then asked the bartender for a drink.

The bartender refused to serve him and asked him to leave, court documents said. Doney refused the request, instead grabbing a barstool and tossing it at the bartender. The seat struck the bartender on his left forearm and nearly hit his face, according to the affidavit.

Not stopping there, Doney allegedly grabbed another stool and tossed it across the bar, knocking everything else to the ground, court documents said. The stool came to a rest after knocking into the back cooler door, breaking the glass and smashing containers of alcohol.

Buckner wrote that he was unable to find Doney that night, but located the man on his next shift.

Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years with the Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Criminal mischief carries a penalty of up to six months in the county jail and a $1,500 fine. Disorderly conduct, first offense, comes with a maximum punishment of a $100 fine.