Leap from 3rd floor puts man in hospital

He is in critical condition after the domestic incident. He also faces several drug charges.

By ROBBYN MITCHELL, Times Staff Writer
Published December 7, 2007

TAMPA - A man involved in a domestic incident remained in critical condition Thursday after leaping from a third-floor balcony while trying to run from deputies.

Norris Nathaniel Mincey Jr., 31, of 9407 Channing Circle, Apt. 2601, was having an argument with his girlfriend at the In Town Suites, 8207 E Adamo Drive, Room 311, when it turned physical, a sheriff's report said.

Mincey smacked the woman in the face and chest before pulling her hair and spitting on her, said Debbie Carter, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

After he left, his girlfriend called 911, and he returned as deputies arrived.

According to the arrest report, Mincey's pocket was bulging when deputies approached him, and one deputy saw a plastic bag with a green leafy substance in it.

Mincey then pushed the deputy and ran before falling on the floor. He was able to escape the deputy again by pushing him off as he was pinned to the floor, reports said.

This time, the deputy shot his Taser but missed Mincey, officials said. Mincey said, "I give up" before rushing the officer and leaping from the balcony onto the grass below. He was caught trying to scale the 6-foot wooden fence at the back of the hotel.

He was taken to Tampa General Hospital. Bail had not been set Thursday.

In his pocket, deputies found a plastic bag with 89.2 grams of cocaine and numerous small bags of marijuana.

Mincey had four outstanding warrants for delivery and possession of crack cocaine. He's also charged with trafficking in cocaine, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, possession of marijuana with intention to sell, and misdemeanor battery and possession of paraphernalia.

[Last modified December 7, 2007, 00:57:48]