Trial from commission meeting continues
A trial of two men arrested in a fracas at a Randolph County Commission meeting lasted almost all day yesterday in the circuit courtroom but has not been resolved.
Jeff Nolen, represented by attorney Sandy Holliday, and Sam Wreyford, represented by former Circuit Judge Dale Segrest, were tried at the same time on misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges.
District Judge Pat Whaley gave Assistant District Attorney Amy Newsome and the defense attorneys 30 days from Tuesday to submit case law for him to review before making a decision.
The trials started about 9:30 a.m. after the judge had taken pleas in other cases and concluded about 4 p.m. when he began taking other pleas.
Nolen testified but Wreyford did not.
Many people attended the morning session but largely dispensed for the afternoon session after the lunch break. Newsome said, “everything went smoothly.”
The reason for the lengthy session was the number of witnesses, she said.
Among the witnesses were Bob Fincher, Sheila Fincher, Sam Carpenter, Ann Vaughan, William Dillard, Willard Ford, Jim Barron, June Waldrep, Doyle Allen, Terry Lovvorn, Doug Sheppard, Nolen and Ken Landers.
Upon conviction a Class C misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a maximum $500 fine.
During the March 4 workshop Nolen asked the commission to rescind its vote on hiring a construction management firm to oversee renovations and additions to the county’s jail.
Commissioners discussed the jail situation and Nolen persisted in speaking up from the audience. Commission Chairman June Waldrep asked him to leave, according to this newspaper’s report on the situation.
Nolen refused to leave and during the attempt to remove him Wreyford interfered. Chief Deputy William Dillard attempted to move Wreyford out of the way and during the struggle they fell over in the hallway.
Nolen, 46, of 512 Davis Drive, Roanoke, and Wreyford, 68, of 215 County Road 90, Wedowee, were both arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
