Final Cincinnati Brawl Defendant Rejects Plea Deal, Trial Continues

Patrick Rosemond, 39, is the final defendant to stand trial for the July 2025 brawl in downtown Cincinnati, and he rejected a plea agreement offered by prosecutors on Wednesday. Rosemond faces two counts of aggravated riot, three counts of assault, and three counts of felonious assault. He declined the deal to plead guilty to two counts of felonious assault and one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault, opting instead for a full trial.

Alex Tchervinski, 46, took the stand as a key witness for the defense. Tchervinski was initially charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct but was cleared of that case by Municipal Judge Donte Johnson on March 31. The judge dismissed the charges after subpoenaed witnesses failed to appear for the third time. Tchervinski, whose image became widely known from video footage of the incident, testified that he went to help a friend during the scuffle.

"When Greg Nickel pointed to the guy that hit him, to the group of the people, I went to the group of guys and tried to stand up for my older friend, 'cause I don't think it's right," Tchervinski told the court. He described being struck on the back of his head while standing on a street corner. He said he touched the face of another man and asked, "stop it, would you like that?" before being hit again and surrounded by others.

Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Kip Guinan asked Tchervinski if he had used angry words toward anyone during the incident. Tchervinski answered, "Absolutely not." Defense attorney Marcus Coleman questioned Tchervinski about whether people said racist things toward him. Tchervinski confirmed they did but said he did not say anything in return.

Earlier in the day, without a jury present, Rosemond considered the plea deal. Guinan stated that the prosecution and defense were both open to the agreement, with Judge Virginia Tallent retaining final authority on sentencing. Guinan noted that he had spoken to witnesses and Holly, the woman prosecutors say Rosemond punched and knocked out, who had testified Tuesday. "I have had the opportunity to speak to our witnesses who are still here. We also contacted the law firm that's represented several of the gentlemen victims involved, and I spoke directly with Holly about an hour ago, they are in agreement with it," Guinan said.

Rosemond responded, "Okay, well, I'm going to go to trial then." Five other defendants in the case have already pleaded guilty, and a sixth was found incompetent to stand trial, according to court records. The trial is scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.