By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
March 2, 2001
A Lauderdale County Justice Court judge ruled Thursday that assault charges against a man accused of striking a rural mail carrier cannot be reinstated.
Tammy Parker filed simple assault charges against 22-year-old Richard Wayne Thomas for allegedly striking her across the chest Dec. 2, after she accidentally attempted to deliver mail to the wrong address in a subdivision in the Topton community.
Justice Court Judge Gerald W. Thompson dismissed the charge Feb. 21, when witnesses for the prosecution did not appear in court.
Robert Compton, the county attorney in charge of prosecuting the case, said Tuesday he would look into trying to reopen the case but the matter would depend on the wording of the order.
When orders are written in this fashion, the case in viewed "in favor" of the defendant.
Tim Weisend, the postal inspector in charge of the investigation, had hoped the case could be reopened, and Thomas would face a misdemeanor charge. But after learning of the decision, and the reason behind it, he said he had "no further comment" on the matter.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.