Marble – A hatchet-wielding man was tased twice by deputies last week during an emotional rant about his relatives being buried on a woman’s property.
“He appeared to be under the influence of some impairing substance,” Cherokee County sheriff’s Lt. Tiffany Holland said.
Robert Lafette Pirkle, 42, of Marble, allegedly trespassed onto a woman’s property around noon Feb. 8 and claimed that she was not its rightful owner. The woman told police Pirkle had been “yelling” about deceased relatives for three minutes before she called them.
“He said his ancestors were buried on the property, and that the property rightfully belonged to his family,” Holland said.
Officials say Pirkle had a hatchet in hand when deputies arrived at the house. He allegedly hid behind trees and refused commands to put the weapon on the ground.
Authorities say Pirkle expressed a wide range of emotions during the standoff, at times showing anger. After Pirkle allegedly ignored numerous commands to drop the hatchet, a deputy tased him without effect.
After being tased a second time, Pirkle dropped to the ground, allowing deputies to secure the hatchet and arrest him. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation and released the following day.
Police charged Pirkle with trespassing and resisting arrest. He was also wanted in connection with outstanding warrants.