Police investigate reports of punches at council meeting

HYMERA, Ind. (AP) - State police are investigating reports of punches being thrown during a town council meeting in a western Indiana town where an overflow crowd was present when a vote was taken to replace a fired town marshal.

State police Sgt. Joe Watts says no arrests have been made, but police are investigating what happened at the meeting Tuesday night in Hymera, 25 miles south of Terre Haute. The altercation came at the end of the meeting.

Derrick Cullison has filed a lawsuit seeking his job back, back pay, benefits and attorney fees. His attorney says because of Cullison's experience he has merit rights allowing him to appeal terminations and disciplinary matters.

Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom says Cullison was fired as a probationary non-sworn civilian employee at the jail on Wednesday.