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FEMALE ARRESTED AFTER ALTERCATION

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, November 13, 2009 12:37 AM CST

A 19-year-old female was arrested Monday after she allegedly hit a man with a box cutter, resulting in injuries to the man’s head and lip.

During a court hearing Thursday, Circuit Judge Berlin Jones ruled prosecutors had probable cause to charge Jakita Steele with aggravated assault, based on an affidavit from Investigator Eugene Butler of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Police Department.

Reading from that affidavit, Deputy Prosecutor Rik Ramsey said university police were sent to the L.A. Davis Student Union Center Monday in response to a reported disturbance, and when they arrived, found the man, Jeremy Greene, in a bathroom washing his face with a cloth.

Ramsey said Greene told police he had been involved in a shouting match with another woman who left, then returned with Steele and resumed the argument.

Butler reported that the other woman allegedly sprayed pepper spray in Greene’s face, and while he was trying to recover, Steele struck him in the head with a box cutter.

Ramsey said witnesses to the incident identified Steele as the assailant.

Questioned by the judge about why prosecutors were seeking assault charges rather than a battery charge, Ramsey said Greene received only minor injuries.

In addition to setting the bond, the judge ordered Steele, who Ramsey said had no prior convictions, to have no contact with Greene until the case is settled.

Steele told the court her family would hire an attorney for her.

Senate agriculture panel to meet in LR

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., said Thursday the Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a field hearing Nov. 23 at the Clinton Presidential Library.

Lincoln, the committee chairman, said the purpose of the meeting is to seek input from Arkansans on various agriculture issues.

“It’s my No. 1 priority to get input from Arkansans on how to best shape the committee’s work on the issues that will impact their everyday lives,” she said.

Lincoln said she would host an agriculture and business leadership breakfast the following day at the Association of Arkansas Counties.

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