No charges expected in Harpo’s fall; police report calls case ‘closed’
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
An incident report from the Columbia Police Department shows no arrests will be made and no charges will be filed after a man fell from Harpo’s balcony in August.
Corbin Rodenberg, 22, of Chillicothe, fell from the rooftop of the downtown Columbia bar around 9 p.m. Aug. 23. He suffered serious head injuries and was initially listed in critical condition. A witness previously told ABC 17 News that Rodenberg was sitting on the rooftop railing when he fell.
According to the police report, witnesses told investigators Rodenberg had been drinking for much of the day at a house party before the fall. One roommate estimated he had consumed between 10-15 alcoholic drinks, including drinks at a residence.
Texts recovered from Rodenberg’s phone included messages stating he was inebriated. A DJ on the upper patio allegedly described him to police as “super drunk.”
Surveillance video from the bar’s entrance and interior showed him entering, ordering, and moving without obvious stumbling, swaying, or other clear signs of severe impairment at those moments, according to the report.
“At this time I do not have probable cause to arrest anyone for this case. There is no evidence that Rodenberg was over-sold alcohol at Harpo’s as he only bought three drinks. Rodenberg also appeared coherent and did not show signs of being overly intoxicated as he walked into Harpo’s and ordered two drinks,” lead investigator Det. Logan Moore wrote.
Rodenberg fell after sitting on the railing of the rooftop bar. The report says more than one person standing near him had told him to get off the railing.
Witness accounts and Flock camera footage show him sitting on the railing after earlier activity that included standing on a bench or booth area and briefly losing balance toward a flower potted plant, the report says. He allegedly was seen lifting his legs and leaning backward before falling onto the sidewalk below. One witness told police she saw Rodenberg make a shocked face before he fell backward.
ABC 17 News reached out to Harpo’s for comment.
Rodenberg’s mother, Kayley Rodenberg, said this week that he had been transferred from University Hospital to an acute-care facility after spending time in intensive care following the fall.
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