CCC News/Talk WZSI/Hartford PD Ed Lyner is recovering from injuries suffered in a Thursday night focus group session, when a respondent crashed through the two-way mirror, injuring Lyner seriously enough to require hospitalization.Witnesses say that one of the focus group's members, identified as Myron Fence of New Britain, Connecticut, could apparently hear Lyner mimicking him and laughing loudly each time he spoke in the group. After a few such instances, the 340-pound Fence got up and hurled himself through the mirror and into the observation area where Lyner was sitting.
Both Lyner and Fence suffered glass cuts and were taken to area hospitals. Fence was later released to police custody and booked for aggravated assault.
Of his injuries, Lyner told us, "I have more stitches in me than there are in Derf Kimbrough's jockey shorts. But I couldn't help myself...the guy was unintentionally hilarious."
The other focus group participants received double the usual payment, were asked not to speak to the press, and were offered suggestions on where to get counseling after the violent incident.
