TERRICA HENDRIX
Editor
DIERKS – A Newhope man turned himself in after an alleged altercation with the mayor of Dierks and damaging his truck last November.
Jeffery Lynn Jester, 57, was interviewed on Nov. 17 at the Dierks Police Department by Arkansas State Police Special Agent Hayes McWhirter. According to an affidavit of arrest prepared by McWhirter, Jester admitted to damaging the Dierks mayor’s truck and beating up the mayor. “Jester stated he waited around Dierks to turn himself in, but wanted the officer to know why he beat the mayor up,” according to the affidavit arrest in Jester’s case.
“On Nov. 9 around 7:44 p.m., Dierks Officer Jason Icenhower received a call from an E-Z Mart employee that a white male had came [sic] into the store and said he had beat up the mayor of Dierks. The white male told the employee that he was trying to turn himself in because he was going to jail, but he couldn’t find a police officer. Officer Icenhower called the mayor to confirm there had been a fight and then went to the mayor’s house. The mayor’s truck had the windows knocked out and damaged to the hood and body of the truck. Officer Icenhower stated that the mayor had some red abrasions on his face. The mayor stated while he was taking a shower he heard a knock on the door. The mayor stated after he dried off he went to the door and he saw the damage on his truck and saw the defendant getting into his truck. When the mayor opened the door, the defendant charged him. The defendant was striking the mayor on the face and head with his fist. The defendant continued to strike the mayor as they went into the kitchen. The mayor picked up a pistol off his counter and pointed it at the defendant. The defendant turned and ran out the door, got in his truck and left.”
The affidavit did not include Jester’s reason for the alleged altercation.
On Nov. 12, McWhirter was contacted by Howard County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Erin Hunter and advised that a request had been made for the Arkansas State Police to investigate the case.
A special prosecutor – Christi McQueen – has been appointed to Jester’s case. McQueen is a prosecuting attorney from Hope.
Jester turned himself in on Wed., Jan. 20 and was arrested and booked for second degree battery and second degree mischief. Charges have not been filed against Jester at press time.
Jester was granted an own recognizance release.
Jester first appearance in Howard County Circuit Court will be on Wed., Feb. 3.