Charges cross-filed by two firemen after fight 6/26/2015
Published 12:00 am Friday, June 26, 2015
By John Howell
An altercation between volunteer firemen at the scene of a barn fire on Bell Road June 15 has brought cross-filed charges by two alleged assailant/victims.
Brandy Davis of the Courtland Fire Department and Rusty Lamb of the Bynum Volunteer Fire Department have each charged the other with simple assault.
“It was very embarrassing; that’s putting it mildly,” said Panola EMA Director Daniel Cole, who was at the scene along with Panola County Arson Investigator Terry Smith and about 15 firefighters from three volunteer departments.
The fire had been brought under control and firefighters were “hitting the hot spots,” Cole said, when the altercation occurred.
The barn belongs to Melvin Ragon, Cole said. Jimmy Dickerson rented space in the barn to store equipment.
“That same week we met with the Courtland Chief and two members involved (Davis and a juvenile), the Bynum Chief and Rusty and the investigator, Terry Smith,” the EMA director said, in an attempt reach a satisfactory resolution.
When that failed, Davis and Lamb filed charges Wednesday. The court date has been tentatively set for Tuesday, July 14 before Justice Court Judge Willie Joiner. The fine and assessment total for being found guilty of simple assault is $306.00