posted July 21, 2005
 Photo by Michael Locke Leamon Pierce |
Both the alleged drug dealer and Councilman Pierce wound up being charged with assault.
Judge Carter said he does not know Councilman Pierce personally and does not plan to recuse himself.
A hearing is set for Friday of next week.
Councilman Pierce said Tuesday night soon after the incident, "If I am charged, it will be an honor. I am not going to stop fighting the drug dealers." Later Tuesday night, a magistrate signed an assault warrant and he turned himself in at the County Jail.
Just after the altercation, a group of young men charged the councilman, including one armed with a broom. A police officer pulled a gun and stopped anyone from getting to the councilman.
Councilman Pierce, 64, said there are several drug dealers operating out of their homes in his neighborhood at Clifton Hills off Rossville Boulevard.
He said he has been watching the various houses, including sitting in front of them late at night.
Councilman Pierce said he arrived home after the City Council meeting and saw police officers were making an arrest. He said he congratulated two officers, then went down to where James Jones was sitting in the back seat of a patrol car.
He said Jones had been dealing drugs from a house next to a $125,000 duplex he built on Morgan Street at 28th Street. He said he built a $140,000 house for his daughter nearby.
Councilman Pierce said there are other drug dealers nearby.
He said as he got close to the police car, the handcuffed man spat toward him. He said part of the spit hit him in the face.
Councilman Pierce said he then charged the patrol car. He said the suspect rared up to kick him away, and he reached inside. He said he does not know if he touched him, but he said he may have.
City Officer Zachary Fuller said he put Jones in the patrol car and left the window partially open because he said he had a heart condition. The officer said Councilman Pierce drove up to him and congratulated another officer and then him.
The officer said when Councilman Pierce's car was next to the police car, Jones shot two large wads of spit into the Pierce vehicle.
The officer said he turned to the patrol car and rolled up the window, then he felt someone brush up against him. He said it was Councilman Pierce.
The officer said the councilman threw two punches that struck Jones in the face. He said the council member was trying to throw a third punch when he pulled him off Jones.
The officer said he was attempting to get Councilman Pierce into custody when a large crowd began to surround them. The officer said, "The crowd was very hostile and upset and was attempting to punch and grab Mr. Pierce. I then felt Mr. Pierce was in serious danger along with myself and told him to leave immediately while the crowd was pressing in.
"Mr. Pierce then drove from the scene. While dealing with the crowd, I observed at least one party carrying and waving a large stick or pole."
He said a medic arrived and transported Jones to Erlanger Medical Center after he complained that he was injured.
Councilman Pierce told of the group charging toward him. He said it was some neighbors who had been hostile to his efforts against drug dealers.
Councilman Pierce said officers then directed that he get away from the hostile situation. He said officers asked that he talk with them at another location later.
He said he did meet the officers and was interviewed. He said he was told they will take the information to a magistrate and it will be decided then if he will be charged. He got a call later saying he was being charged.
Councilman Pierce said, "They aren't going to stop me. I had this neighborhood cleaned up once, and I am trying to clean it up again."
He said he was born in that neighborhood and has a sizable investment there, including a number of rental units. His home is on Cannon Avenue.
Councilman Pierce said Jones is a black male who has mainly white customers coming up from Georgia to buy drugs.
Leamon Pierce, owner of Liberty Bonding, has represented District 8 for the past 15 years.
He was released on his own recognizance.
Officers said they had gotten a consent to search at the Jones residence at 2803 Morgan St. They said Mary Jones said her 37-year-old son, James, "hangs out in the back room."
Officers said they searched the back room and found a cookie of crack cocaine, crack rocks, a pounch of marijuana, scales, baggies and cash.
Other Breaking News
- Photo Gallery: Pops At Coolidge Park
- Attorney Says Councilman Rico Biased In Favor Of Administration
- Man Dies After He Is Shot In The Head; Moore Charged
- City Council Agenda For Tuesday Night
- Downtown Parking Meter Rates Going Up
- Police Blotter: Drug Suspect "Strapped" With Loaded Revolver
- Man Tries To Grab Drug Store Pills, Returns
- McKamey Center Asking Those Bringing Animals To Make Appointments
- Husband Says Dog Caused Him To Accidentally Shoot Wife
- Beer Board To Review Licensing Process For Riverbend Beer Sales
- News Site Says Huntsville Expected To Land VW Plant
- Menifee Charged In Fire Bombings
- One Of Hamilton County's Most Wanted Arrested
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |