AP News, August 16th, 2007
Two skateboarders who were videotaped in a scuffle with a police officer in downtown Hot Springs have pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges.
Neither was sentenced to jail time.
Skylar R. Nalls, 19, pleaded no contest Wednesday to violating a city skateboarding ordinance and to misdemeanor charges of fleeing and obstructing government operations. Police say Nalls attempted to interfere with an officer arresting other youths.
District Judge Ralph Ohm ordered Nalls to perform 30 days of community service within six months. He also fined Nalls $85 and imposed court costs. The judge said Nalls could perform the community service in Arkadelphia, where he is a student at Henderson State University.
Matthew Jon McCormack, 21, of Hot Springs, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of third-degree battery for allegedly striking Hot Springs Community Services officer Kenneth Billingsley. Billingsley was assisting police officer Joey Williams, who was arresting McCormack.
The judge fined McCormack $210 and ordered court costs and performance of 30 days of community service within six months.
Ohm said he would consider wiping the defendants' records clean if they complete their obligations.
A video shot by skateboarders of the June 21 disturbance was posted on YouTube and appeared to show Williams choking one skateboarder and putting two others into a headlock. An internal police investigation concluded Williams used proper force when making his arrests.
Police said they arrested four juveniles in the confrontation.
Skateboarding is banned in most of downtown Hot Springs, as is roller skating, inline skating and bicycle riding on sidewalks.
