Brawl at the Polls Remains Under Investigation

An investigation on anin front of the polls in Shelby Township Aug. 7 involving a political candidate, her husband, the wife of another political candidate and an outspoken political blogger, remains open.

The case has been assigned to Sgt. Jeff Daniels with the Shelby Township police. Daniels said the investigation is ongoing as he continues to interview witnesses and review evidence.

Once the investigation is completed, it will be sent to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, which will determine if charges will be brought against anyone involved.

The scuffle broke out in front of Crissman Elementary School, which was Precinct 23 and 24 when Jean Leman, the wife of candidate for Supervisor Bob Leman approached political blogger Matt Guarnieri just before noon as he painted over her husband's political signs with red paint from the back of his vehicle.

The video shows Leman pull the sign from Guarnieri's hand and a struggle ensued. Meanwhile,  walked over and her husband Joe Manzella, pulled up in a vehicle and confronted Guarnieri, according to the video, which was exclusively captured by Patch.com.

"There is no way I would ever walk up to that freak,” said Manzella. “I would have never approached him. I just went to go catch Jean – but obviously it was too late,” said Manzella.

In just minutes, the four exchanged heated words, some pushes and Guarnieri can be heard on video asking passersby to call the police.  Police arrived just minutes later.  No arrests were made at the scene and no serious injuries were reported. The Shelby Township police have used the video captured by Patch.com as evidence in the case.

Manzella was defeated at the polls by Trustee Michael Flynn for the position of treasurer. Bob Leman also lost the race to incumbent Rick Stathakis.

Guarnieri told Patch that the political signs he was defacing were obtained legally since he got them from a Dumpster at the police department after the ordinance enforcement officer removed signs that were placed too close to the road. Guarnieri said he was granted permission by the township to take them.

Manzella told Patch she doesn't believe Guarnieri got the signs from the police station because on her way home every night, her and several other candidates, checked the garbage to see if any of their signs had been thrown out.

"That’s what my life had become. I Dumpster dived every night," she said.

Guarnieri also maintains that he was parked on a private drive that leads to his home when he was approached.

"They came on my property and took stuff out of the back of my personal vehicle," said Guarnieri.

As for Manzella, she told Patch she would not have done anything different if she had to relive the situation over.

“I would do the same thing all over again. I could call 911, which is what I did, and then I would go help Jean -- with the exception of kicking the can because I lost one of my favorite pairs of shoes,” she said.

Stay with Patch.com on Facebook and Twitter for updates on this developing story.

Note: The video contains expletives.