Platteville Man Found Guilty of Assault

A Platteville man has been found guilty of battery for assaulting a man who stabbed him. A Lafayette County jury found 46 year old Emil Melssen guilty of substantial battery with intent to cause bodily harm and disorderly conduct. A sentencing hearing has been set for June 17. The charges stem from a 2021 altercation between Melssen and 36 year old Benjamin Everson, then of Benton. According to a report, Everson was sitting in his vehicle in New Diggings when Melssen approached him. Melssen told authorities Everson stabbed him, prompting him to punch Everson twice. Everson told authorities Melssen struck him first, prompting him to stab Melssen in self-defense. Everson previously was sentenced to six months in jail and three years of probation after entering a no-contest plea to charges of substantial battery-intent to do bodily harm, felony bail jumping and criminal damage to property.