SEARCY, Ark. (AP) - A man accused of assaulting the mayor of Higginson has been found not guilty by a judge.
Searcy District Court Judge Mark Pate acquitted Jerry Riley on Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault. Riley was accused of assaulting Higginson Mayor Randell Homsley after a city council meeting in April. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in June.
The mayor has said that Riley was disgruntled with the city of Higginson because the city would not open a street that led to property Riley owned.
The Daily Citizen reports that the judge acquitted Riley on Tuesday but plans to set another court date to explain his decision to both parties.
Homsley tells the newspaper that he was confused by the ruling because several people witnessed the alleged attack.
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