Online update: Police arrest councilman for domestic assault
Jessie Gasch and Whitney McFerron
Issue date: 5/5/05 Section: News
Kirksville City Councilman Richard Scott was arrested July 10 on charges of third-degree domestic assault, after an incident that allegedly involved his wife, Mary.
Officers responded to a 911 call at 9:25 p.m. made by a family member from the Scotts' residence. Kirksville Police Chief Jim Hughes did not say if the call was made by Mary Scott. After arriving on the scene, police took Richard Scott into protective custody, but he was later released.
"Normally a protective custody detainer is reserved for those people who for one reason or another might have problems taking care of themselves," Hughes said.
Richard Scott was released to an "uninvolved, unrelated third party," according to information from the Kirksville Police Department. Hughes would not comment on the identity of the third party.
Four officers from the Kirksville Police Department and one officer from the Missouri Highway Patrol were on the scene. Hughes said he requested that the state trooper observe as an impartial witness.
"Based on the totality of the circumstances, it was important to me to have a non-Kirksville officer on scene who could objectively answer any questions that would come up concerning the officers' decisions and actions," Hughes said.
Adair County prosecuting attorney Mark Williams said a formal charge of domestic assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor, was filed against Richard Scott on July 12. Charges were later dropped, according to local media reports.
In March, Richard Scott was indicted on charges of driving while intoxicated after an incident that took place last January. The case is set for trial in November.
Officers responded to a 911 call at 9:25 p.m. made by a family member from the Scotts' residence. Kirksville Police Chief Jim Hughes did not say if the call was made by Mary Scott. After arriving on the scene, police took Richard Scott into protective custody, but he was later released.
"Normally a protective custody detainer is reserved for those people who for one reason or another might have problems taking care of themselves," Hughes said.
Richard Scott was released to an "uninvolved, unrelated third party," according to information from the Kirksville Police Department. Hughes would not comment on the identity of the third party.
Four officers from the Kirksville Police Department and one officer from the Missouri Highway Patrol were on the scene. Hughes said he requested that the state trooper observe as an impartial witness.
"Based on the totality of the circumstances, it was important to me to have a non-Kirksville officer on scene who could objectively answer any questions that would come up concerning the officers' decisions and actions," Hughes said.
Adair County prosecuting attorney Mark Williams said a formal charge of domestic assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor, was filed against Richard Scott on July 12. Charges were later dropped, according to local media reports.
In March, Richard Scott was indicted on charges of driving while intoxicated after an incident that took place last January. The case is set for trial in November.