By Jim Smith

Eagle Staff Writer

FOXBURG, Clarion County — The best man, who is from Butler County, left the wedding reception in an ambulance.

The bridegroom's brother left in handcuffs.

Ah, the memories.

State police say envy was the motive that put a damper on last weekend's celebration at the Foxburg Inn.

“The brother wanted to be the best man,” Trooper Patrick Berggren said.

Police suspect Deo Cody Beck, 31, of Kittanning took his perceived slight out on Joshua Fink of Butler, the best man who got the worst of it.

Berggren on Sunday arrested Beck for allegedly sucker punching the 36-year-old Fink, who suffered a partially broken face.

Beck is in Clarion County Jail on $25,000 bail. He faces felony assault and other charges.

Investigators said the after-wedding altercation played out about 12:30 a.m. Sunday on the rear deck at the Foxburg Inn on Route 268, where the reception was nearing the end.

Between 10 and 20 wedding guests, including the bride and groom, were present.

“Beck started yelling at (Fink), saying that he should have been the best man in his (brother's) wedding and not him,” according to court documents.

Beck, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 270 pounds, moments later delivered a one-punch technical knockout.

“He had broken bones in his face and needed stitches,” Berggren said of Fink. “He was in a lot of pain.”

Police said Beck also intentionally damaged Fink's eyeglasses, valued at $300.

The trooper spoke to two witnesses, who gave similar accounts of the alleged attack. He also interviewed Fink and Beck at the scene.

“The victim said (Beck) punched him for no reason,” Berggren said. “(Beck) pretty much denied everything.”

Police noted that both men had been drinking.

Fink was taken by Knox Ambulance to Clarion Hospital. He was treated for what police described as “severe” injuries, and released that day.

=Beck was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief. His preliminary hearing is Sept. 6 at Clarion County Central Court.