| Jena mayor punches town
alderman; case set for Grand Jury The porch of the Jena Town Hall was the scene last week for an event that has been the talk of the parish, and for that matter the state, over the past week and a half. While the parties involved dispute many facts about the event, one fact is clear: Jena Mayor James Robbins punched Jena Alderman Gary Compton in the face twice with his fist. Conflicting stories from the mayor and alderman surrounding the events leading up to the battery and what actually took place will ultimately be decided at the Lasalle Parish Courthouse as District Attorney J. Reed Walters will present it to the Grand Jury when they are convened tuesday, October 21st. At that session, the Grand Jury will hear testimony from the parties involved in the altercation and any other witnesses DA Walters deems necessary. After all testimony is heard, the Grand Jury will retire to deliberate to determine what, if any, charges will be filed. Compton is chairman of the Town Council's finance committee and last Monday afternoon he was at the town hall going over the town's budget in preparation for the council's meeting Tuesday night, October 7th, according to statements obtained. Mayor Robbins approached Compton around 4 p.m. in one of the front offices of the town hall and an argument ensued. Jena Police Chief George L. King was also present and he too began to argue with Compton. After a few minutes, Compton started to leave the town hall and it is at this point that the stories began to conflict. Mayor Robbins and Chief King said that Compton walked out the front door of the town hall onto the porch and made a statement to the affect, "If you tow want some of me come on out here." The mayor and chief said that Robbins went out the front door of the town hall and compton attempted to hit him but missed. At this point the mayor struck Compton twice in the face with his fist. Chief King said he then stepped in between the two men and Compton left. But Compton said this is not how the events transpired at all. He said that after he and the mayor exchanged words, the mayor "sucker punched" him as he tried to leave. Compton went on to say that he did not raise a hand to strike anyone and did not even raise a hand to defend himself. After he left the town hall, the Alderman went to LaSalle General Hospital were (misspelled in JT) he was examined for the injuries sustained from Mayor Robbins. Records of his visit are considered confidential and are now in the hands of the District Attorney. On Tuesday morning, after Compton reported the incident to LaSalle Sheriff Carl Smith and DA Walters Monday night, the DA asked the LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Department to launch a full investigation into the incident. Statements were received and by Thursday, all of the information collected by investigators was turned over to the DA. Neither the Sheriff's Department nor the District Attorney's office would comment on the incident, other than to say it has been and still is under investigation. Walters said that he would present all the evidence at the Grand Jury session that was already scheduled for October 21st. No one would speculate on what charges the Grand Jury would be looking at but charges could range from simple battery, to assault, to disturbing the peace, to public intimidation of a public officer, to threatening a public official, to malfeasance in office. |
Listed below are the unedited statements of Mayor Robbins and Chief King that were provided to investigators October 7t, and then delivered to The Jena Tiems office October 9th by Mayor Robbins. Jena Mayor James Robbins: "On the evening of October 6th, 2003, around 2 p.m. I was told that the clerk and assistant clerk was working on a complete print out of every expenditure that was spent since January of 2003 that Compton requested by email from his work the morning of the 6th. "He did not call me or even ask me for this or about this. This procedure took tow women all day long. He came by at 3:30 p.m. to pick it up,it was not ready. So he came back at 4:00 p.m. after hours and I asked him why he did not ask me first before we spent all day doing this." "He said he has never ask and he was not going to ask. I had ask for George King to come over to town hall at 3:30 about a worker he has. He walks up during myself and Compton's argument. He ask Compton about Police Dept. They exchange words." "The argument got worse between myself and Compton, he started out door and said if you son-of-bitches want some of me come on out here". "I started out door and he swung at me and missed. I hit him twice, George King Stepped between us. He mouthed off something and walked off." Jena Chief of Police George L. King: "James Robbins, Mayor of Town of Jena, called me to come by his office to discuss one of police officers around 3:45 p.m. Gary Compton came in front office." "Overheard Mayor and Compton arguing about budget. I asked Compton about Police Dept. budget. Compton was complaining about to much money being spent." "Compton leaving out front door advised Mayor and myself if you Son-of-Bitches want some of me come on out here." "We started out front door - Compton swung at the Mayor and missed. Mayor and missed. Mayor struck Compton twice - I stepped between them. Compton left." Statement from Jena Alderman Gary Compton: Although the official statement delivered to Sheriff's Investigators was not recieved by The Jena Times, Alderman Compton did release the following statement in regards to the town hall incident: "To the Citizens of Jena - there have been many rumors and accusations about the incident which occurred between the Mayor and me. It is my understanding that this matter will be taken before the Grand Jury. Therefore, it would be inappropriate at this time for me to go into details about this matter. but I will say this:' "I have served as one of your Town Council members for the past 13 years. In this period, I have served with Mayors Norman Welch and Dale Willis and never had any conflicts with either of them. During their terms, they kept me as a member of the finance committee, a position I still hold." "The Town of Jena, as are all municipalities, is required by law to submit an annual budget; we are also required by law to periodically make budget amendments. It is approaching the end of the year and time to amend the 2003 budget and to prepare the 2004 budget." "In order to do so, the finance committee has to procure documentation from Town Hall about expenses that occurred during the year to make budgetary decisions. That was what I was attempting to do when the mayor and I exchanged words which resulted in him 'sucker punching' me." "I did not raise a hand to defend myself, nor did I raise a hand to strike anyone. As your elected official, I have taken an oath to comply with the laws set forth by the State of Louisiana. I will continue to serve in the capacity that you have elected me in a lawful and professional way." |