WEST MEMPHIS, AR - A man shot by cops inside a small town courtroom in Arkansas will soon be charged with battery on a police officer according to the West Memphis City Prosecutor. The shooting happened two weeks ago in Jericho.
Fire chief Don Payne was arguing a traffic ticket, and got into an argument with officers. One of the officers shot Payne in the back. West Memphis City Prosecutor Lindsey Fairley says none of the police officers will be charged.
Fairley says Payne went after officers, and the officers had every right to detain Payne.
Payne says he was not armed, and that the officer pushed him. That's when Payne says he shoved the officer back.
One of the police officers shot Payne, a bullet also grazed one of the officer's hands. Fairley says Payne tried to beat up the officers.
Payne has hired a lawyer. That lawyer says they haven't decided if they will file a civil lawsuit against the officer. Payne is still recovering at The MED.
Many in the town say the argument stemmed from what they call, “over the top traffic tickets.” City Prosecutor Fairley says he is not investigating the tickets, but says most have been dismissed because they were outside the town's geographical limits. Crittenden County Sheriff's deputies are investigating.
