Dustin L. Dixon, 28, facing numerous charges in connection to the incident that resulted in the death of Crossville Police dog K-9 Cain was back in General Sessions court before Judge Larry Warner on Monday August 7.
Charges Dixon faces includes the intentional killing of a domestic animal, felony aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, evading arrest, felony theft of property and driving under the influence.
Dixon remains held in Cumberland County Justice Center under $246,000 bond and the bond remains at that amount following a request from the District Attorney's office. Warner appointed Dixon to be defended by the public defender and set his next court date for September 7, 2017.
After a one month continuance, the first court appearance by Crossville city councilman Jesse Kerley to face assault charges for the incident June 2 following a council work session is expected in Cumberland County general sessions court on October 6th.
Crossville councilman Jesse Kerley
.
The charges allege that Kerley assaulted councilman Pete Souza as both men were leaving the city hall building. The incident was caught on video by a surveillance camera inside the city hall lobby.
Crossville city hall lobby surveillance camera video
Councilman Kerley was served with a summons on the charge that read in part, “Mr. Souza was attending a meeting at city hall. After the meeting Mr. Kerley confronted Mr. Souza. During that time, Mr. Souza got hit in the shoulder and the chest. Mr. Kerley did intentionally or knowingly cause Mr. Souza to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury. Said offense occurred in Cumberland Co. Tennessee.”
Reports at the time indicate councilman Kerley's father, who was not charged in this incident made a comment about Souza's help in making signs in the yard at a Mocking bird Drive residence. Those signs have recently resulted in misdemeanor theft charges against Jerry Kerley after the signs disappeared at 9 AM Friday morning. The incident was captured on video and following an investigation by the DA's office the signs were recovered and the charges placed.
Kerley is being represented by Crossville attorney Kevin Bryant and according to Mr. Souza the district attorney's office is prosecuting the case. The charge is a class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 11 months and 29 days in jail and/or a fine of $2500.
UPDATE: The case has been continued by agreement until October 6 according to the court clerk's office. This often happens on a first appearance as lawyers need additional time to put their cases together. We will keep you informed.
It will be a busy Thursday for at least
two members of the Crossville city council with a court date in the
morning and the September council meeting in the evening.
The first court appearance in the case
of assault charges filed against councilman Jesse Kerley is set for
8:30 AM in General Session court before Judge Larry Warner. The
charge stems from an incident June 2, 2016 immediately following a
council work session.
Kerley booking photo
The summons affidavit signed by
councilman Pete Souza, the alleged victim of the assault states, “Mr.
Souza was attending a meeting at city hall. After the meeting Mr.
Kerley confronted Mr. Souza. During that time, Mr. Souza got hit in
the shoulder and the chest. Mr. Kerley did intentionally or
knowingly cause Mr. Souza to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury.
Said offense occurred in Cumberland Co. Tennessee.”
Affidavit from Kerley summons
A video that shows the incident was
released from a city hall security camera the day following the
incident after copies were acquired by Mr. Kerley and interim city
manager Steve Hill. The video shows that Mr. Kerley and his father, city water resources manager Jerry Kerley appeared to wait for Mr. Souza after the meeting and sandwiched him between the doorway on his way out.
The incident was described in an incident report filed by then police chief Rod Shoap:
"Jerry Kerley stated to me that as he exited the building, words were spoken between him and Councilman Souza. Councilman Kerley stated that Councilman Souza turned to Jerry Kerley and began raising his voice. At that point Councilman Kerley approached Councilman Souza and the altercation occurred.
Councilman Souza said that he was leaving the building, going through the door as Jerry Kerley said something to him. Councilman Souza turned to hear Jerry Kerley mention the painting of signs at which point he was trying to make a point about the signs when Councilman Kerley interrupted and the altercation took place."
Slow motion video of the incident at the door of city hall involving
councilmen Kerley and Souza.
Kerley is reportedly represented by
Crossville attorney Kevin Bryant and according to Mr. Souza the
district attorney's office is prosecuting the case. The charge is a
class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 11 months and 29 days
in jail and/or a fine of $2500.
There could be a hearing on the case
that day, a decision, a plea agreement or the matter could be continued out to a
future date.
