ANOKA, Minn. - A Minneapolis police sergeant accused of
punching a man at a bar while off-duty is now facing a more serious charge.
The Anoka County Attorney's Office charged 47-year-old David
Richard Clifford Tuesday with first degree assault for his role in an incident
at Tanner's Station in Andover on June 16.
Authorities say Clifford punched Brian Vander Lee on the
patio at Tanner's Station after Vander Lee was using offensive language while
talking on his cell phone.
Clifford was originally charged with third degree assault,
but that was upgraded to the more serious first degree assault charge due to
the severity of the injuries suffered by Vander Lee.
Since the incident in mid-June, Vander Lee "has
undergone two separate surgeries on his head to address bleeding on his
brain," chief deputy County Attorney David Cossi said in a statement.
Clifford's next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.