With attorneys Bill Speek and Gerald Webb
A former leader of a non-profit group working in the city's violence reduction initiative dropped his head and sobbed after he was cleared of criminal charges on Tuesday afternoon.
Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman said, after the close of the state's proof, there was not enough evidence against Richard Bennett on a charge of possession of marijuana to take it on to the jury.
Charges of felony possession of a controlled substance (pills) and an open container violation were dismissed earlier in General Sessions Court.
Judge Steelman said marijuana was found in a Bennett van, but he noted that his wife testified that he did not usually drive it and many people had access to the van.
Attorney Bill Speek said, "Richard Bennett has finally been vindicated. He said from the day he was arrested that he was not guilty. We have been pushing to get the case to a jury, but it took a calendar year to do so."
In an incident a year ago, police said they were dispatched at 11:10 p.m. to be on the lookout for a silver or blue minivan driving erratically around East Lake Park.
An officer spotted the silver minivan pulled down into the grass in the southeast corner of the park. The passenger side sliding glass door was open and Richard Bennett was inside with a female.
When asked for his ID, he reached into his pocket and a small baggie fell out, an officer said. The officer said it appeared that he picked it up and put it in his pocket. The officer relocated him for a patdown, but he did not find a baggie.
Police said he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Two open Budweiser beers and an open bottle of Patron liquor were in plain view in the vehicle.
A small amount of marijuana was found in the glove compartment. Both individuals present denied any knowledge of the marijuana.
Police said Richard Bennett had a pill container on his keys that contained seven hydro pills without a prescription with it.
Qwentina Holiday said she was meeting the anti-gang leader to ask for money. He said he was meeting the woman to get information on the violence reduction initiative.
The Bennett firm had been in line for a large contract in the city's anti-gang effort, but lost it due to the arrest.
Richard Bennett