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Brawl breaks out after town marshal ousted

Posted at 8:19 PM, Dec 09, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-09 20:19:20-05

HYMERA, Ind. -- What started as a meeting to decide on a new town marshal, turned into a violent fight Tuesday night in Hymera, Indiana, just south of Terre Haute. 

The fight was between a former town marshal - Darrick Cullison - and the man voted by the council to replace him: Daryl McCullough. 

People are upset because the town council fired Cullison at its last meeting before being replaced by new members. In the video, Cullison can be heard expressing his disgust at the council's decision.

When the council decided to fire the former marshal (Cullison, seen in red), tempers flared and the words and fists started flying. 

Cullison was there with his family, who also jumped in.

Eventually, the fight was broken up and police were called in. 

There is no word if charges will be filed yet, and investigators are still deciding. 

Hymera has a population of about 800: Everyone knows everyone else, and disputes can build, which is what may have led to Tuesday night's fight.

Those who live in Hymera say the conflict wasn't surprising.

"It's been coming for about 2 years," local bar owner Ray Bedwell said. "The people are not being heard. The meeting was more or less just a formality to hire the new marshal, and essentially for the outgoing board to snub the community."

Others say they're ashamed for their town.

"For a lot of us, it is embarrassing," Resident Cindy Crosby said. "That's not a good representation of this community, and it's a shame it's escalated to this point."

As far as who is responsible for the fight, that's uncertain, but Indiana State Police are investigating. ISP is interviewing witnesses and will submit a report to the prosecutor's office so charges can be considered.

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