Wedding receptions are supposed to be a time for celebration, laughter, and joy—not a buffet-line brawl over prime rib. But in a wild turn of events, a Florida attorney allegedly turned an upscale wedding at the Boca Lago Country Club into a scene straight out of a wrestling match when two young girls reportedly cut him in line at the carving station.
According to a police report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, 52-year-old Mark Roher, a seasoned bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney, became enraged after the children skipped ahead of him to snag some prime rib on January 18.
Roher reportedly confronted the girls’ father, who chose to ignore the heated words and attempted to walk away. But that didn’t sit well with Roher. Witnesses allege the attorney grabbed a dinner plate and smashed it over the man’s head, sparking an all-out melee among wedding guests.
The father, described as slimmer in build compared to the “large, bald man” Roher, told police he was trying to de-escalate the situation when the attack occurred. He recalled being hit with the plate and shoved before grabbing Roher by the collar in self-defense. From there, chaos reportedly erupted, with shattered dishes and other guests stepping in to break up the fight.
One waiter described the scene as a “free-for-all” as guests attempted to pull the two men apart. Roher, who was later arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, initially refused to speak with authorities, requesting his lawyer.
However, he eventually admitted to initiating the confrontation, though he denied breaking the plate over the father’s head. Despite claiming he was injured by other guests during the scuffle, witnesses backed the victim’s account of events.
The aftermath of the incident wasn’t just limited to shattered plates and bruised egos. Roher was released from Palm Beach County Jail after posting a $1,000 bond but now faces serious legal trouble.
If convicted of aggravated battery, the veteran attorney could see his legal career take a major hit—a stark contrast to his otherwise clean record with the Florida Bar.
Roher, who graduated from the University of Miami’s law school in 1999 and has over two decades of legal experience, is well-known in bankruptcy and business litigation circles. His professional website highlights his dedication to representing both individuals and corporations in a wide range of disputes. But this buffet-line blow-up may overshadow his courtroom successes as the story makes headlines.
As for the wedding itself? No word yet on whether the prime rib was worth the commotion—or if guests managed to salvage the night after the buffet brawl. One thing is certain: this reception will be remembered for far more than the vows exchanged.
