Tyler Purvis-Mitchell, 23, of 2 Sard Road, Albany, N.Y., waits for the next witness to come to the stand next to his defense attorney George Cosenza during trial in Judge Randall Burnworth’s Marietta courtroom on Monday. (Photo by Peyton Neely)

MARIETTA — A man accused of taking part in a violent fight in the Washington County Jail in November had his trial begin Monday, with the other inmate involved taking the stand.

In Judge Randall Burnworth’s Common Pleas courtroom on Monday, Tyler Purvis-Mitchell, 23, of 2 Sard Road, Albany, N.Y. appeared for trial after being charged with one count of felonious assault after a fight over a remote control happened.

Robert G. Rhodes, 39, of 9235 State Route 60, Lowell, lost his left eye after an altercation broke out while the two men were being housed in the Washington County Jail. The fight began over control of the television while Rhodes said he was trying to watch a re-cap about his son’s football team during the state finals.

“Rhodes stood in front of the TV watching WTAP’s Football Frenzy as Purvis-Mitchell approached him,” said Kevin Rings, Washington County prosecutor. “When the defendant wanted to change the channel, an argument broke out and you then see the defendant strike Mr. Rhodes repeatedly. There was nothing doctors could do to save Mr. Rhodes’ left eye.”

The fight was captured on video at the jail and shown during the trial.

Defense attorney George Cosenza said Rhodes made it known that he was previously a police officer for the Village of Lowell and that “black people aren’t allowed to control the television.”

Cosenza also said that Rhodes made more racial slurs to Purvis-Mitchell before the fight broke out.

After opening statements, Rhodes took the stand Monday.

“I was incarcerated there for violating my probation and a protection order,” he said. “I had liked my son’s Facebook status (violating the order) and agreed to 40 days in the jail without probation. I was on day 22 in the home stretch the day this happened.”

Rhodes said he never told Purvis-Mitchell that he couldn’t use the television because he was black.

“The state of Ohio owns that TV,” he said. “He said I couldn’t use the TV because I used to be a police officer and he’s a federal inmate serving the most time so he decides.”

Purvis-Mitchell was facing charges for the illegal purchase of a handgun in West Virginia.

Rhodes also claimed that Purvis-Mitchell said he was going to rape and kill both of Rhodes’ children.

“He said he was going to rape and kill my 10-year-old daughter then rape and kill my 17-year-old son,” he said. “Then he said he was going to kill me because I used to be a cop and cops can’t watch his TV.”

Rings then asked Rhodes how many times Purvis-Mitchell struck him and Rhodes said it was three or four times before he was knocked out.

“I never once struck him, I only tried to push him away,” said Rhodes. “Within 45 minutes of getting to the hospital, I was undergoing surgery for my eye. I now have a fake eye in my left eye.”

Rhodes lost total vision in his left eye and he said it changed how he works as he is now a pipefitter in Scranton, Pa., though he still uses his Lowell address.

“As a welder, I need depth perception and I don’t have that anymore. I sometimes struggle walking up and down stairs,” he told the jury. “There are no more 3D movies in my future and I’ll never have another eye.”

When Cosenza asked Rhodes about the racial slurs, Rhodes denied making those statements and chuckled at the question.

“I just wanted to prevent him from changing the TV the fourth, fifth or sixth time,” he said.

The trial will continue today at 10 a.m. There are still at least two more witnesses that need to take the stand before the jury must reach a verdict.