Cooper's trial is set for Tuesday, March 30, at 10 a.m. Haefele is scheduled to be arraigned in general district court today at 3 p.m.

According to complaints sworn out Tuesday night by both men, one thing is clear - they got into an argument when Cooper demanded a copy of a document that Haefele wasn't prepared to give him, and the verbal altercation became physical.

Town Clerk Josie Ellis was in the building at the time, but it's unclear whether she witnessed the incident or whether other people were present.

According to Wise County Sheriff Ronnie Oakes, the sheriff's department was called sometime after 6 p.m. to go to town hall.

Deputy Russ Scyphers went to the building and found Cooper there with some sort of mark under one of his eyes, according to Oakes.

Haefele had already left, Oakes said.

Haefele came to the county magistrate's office and swore out warrants against Cooper while Cooper was apparently seeking medical treatment, according to Oakes. About one hour later, Cooper swore out a warrant against Haefele.

Both men are charged with Class 1 misdemeanor assault and battery, which can carry penalties up to one year in jail, Oakes said. Also, Cooper is charged with Class 5 felony abduction, which carries penalties up to 10 years in jail, Oakes said.

Haefele's complaint, filed at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, claims that he was leaving his office when Cooper "accosted" him and demanded a copy of a fire marshal's report.

Haefele told Cooper he hadn't read the report yet, and would give him a copy after he read it, according to the complaint.

Haefele claims Cooper "said I wasn't leaving until he got a copy of it. I tried to leave and he pushed me back against the door and was blocking my way. I told him I was leaving. He pushed me again and said I wasn't leaving. He told Josie Ellis, the clerk, to leave the building. I attempted to leave again. He tried to block me from leaving. He grabbed me by the shirt, ripped a button off. I pushed him back and he fell down. He then said, 'Josie, he hit me,' but I never hit him. I did push him out of the way so I could leave. I then left and went home."

Cooper's complaint, filed at 8:29 p.m., claims he went to town hall to "obtain paperwork due me as council member."

Haefele didn't give him the paperwork, and told Cooper he was tired of Cooper requesting papers all the time, according to the complaint.

Cooper claims Haefele shoved him to a door or doors and hit Cooper in the face with his fist or something in his hand. Cooper then shouted to Ellis that he had been hit, and he was lying on the floor "with a large eye injury and a hole in my head."

Cooper claims Haefele shouted that this was what Cooper deserved, and he was overdue to "get" Cooper.

Cooper stated that he had Ellis call the police, and they called the sheriff's office and a rescue squad to take Cooper to the hospital.

Cooper further claims that on several occasions, Haefele has "threatened to get me," and told a town employee earlier that day that he was going to "get" Cooper.

Contacted Wednesday, both Haefele and Ellis declined to comment on the situation. Haefele referred questions to town attorney Michael Abbott.

Abbott said for the time being, he has advised town officials to take no actions regarding the matter.

Council was supposed to hold its regular monthly meeting tonight at 6 p.m., but postponed it to Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m.

Abbott said he has no idea what actions, if any, council might take with regard to the criminal complaints.

Cooper was not present Wednesday afternoon for his arraignment hearing, but was represented by attorney Greg Gilbert.

Abbott asked Judge Suzanne Fulton to relax restraining orders filed against both men, in the interest of conducting town business.

The orders forbid Haefele and Cooper from having any contact, but Fulton agreed to allow them to be present only at town council meetings.

Cooper, elected in 2000, is in the final months of his first term on council, with his seat up for election May 4. He served a dual role as mayor and acting town manager until July 2002, when Haefele began work as town manager.