Tensions boil over at Jefferson County meeting as public comment turns confrontational

Yahoo

a day ago

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. — A Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting held by some justices on Monday evening ended in chaos after a public commenter was tased and removed by sheriff's deputies.
The disruption began shortly after 5:30 p.m. during a scheduled quorum court session originally called by the Jefferson County Judge.
Jefferson County Justices of the Peace stage walkout, overrule judge's veto to pass 2025 budget
Tensions flared when eight of the thirteen justices of the peace walked out, breaking quorum and halting official business. That's when County Judge Gerald Robinson adjourned the meeting.
About 20 minutes later, the same eight returned, reconvened as a special meeting with the clerk present and resumed proceedings under the leadership of Justice of the Peace District 1. Alfred Carroll was voted to chair the meeting.
The group overrode a veto from County Judge Gerald Robinson regarding the 2025 budget and approved bonuses for unpaid employees. But before that during the public comment portion of the meeting, things escalated quickly.
Garland Trice approached the microphone, requested a copy of the meeting agenda, and remained silent while reviewing it. Carroll urged him to state his name and use his time productively.
What followed was a heated verbal exchange between Trice and several justices, including Reginald Johnson and Carroll, prompting calls for decorum.
When Trice refused to return to his seat and continued speaking beyond his allotted time, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office physically removed him from the courtroom.
But outside the chambers, the confrontation intensified.
Jefferson County Justices of the Peace pass 2025 budget in special meeting
According to a statement from Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr., the following occurred:
'On June 9, 2025, during a regularly scheduled Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting at the Jefferson County Circuit Courthouse, Garland Trice, Sr. disrupted proceedings by refusing to yield the floor after his allotted public comment time had expired. Despite multiple warnings to comply with the presiding officer's directive and return to his seat, Mr. Trice became more boisterous, while continuing his refusal, ultimately requiring deputies to physically remove him from the meeting room. His passive resistance necessitated the use of less-lethal force, including taser deployment, to ensure compliance and restore order. This incident was entirely preventable had Mr. Trice adhered to the established rules of conduct. His repeated disruptive behavior at public forums appears intended to provoke reactions and advance personal political grievances.
While parliamentary procedures govern meeting decorum, the authority of the presiding officer and law enforcement extends beyond these rules to maintain public order and safety. Disruptions by members of the public that impede official business or threaten security cannot and will not be tolerated. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to safeguarding the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and free speech, while ensuring the safety and integrity of public meetings.'
He was taken to the hospital and held overnight for observation. As of Tuesday evening, he had not been booked into jail and was still at the area hospital.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect
But not everyone agreed with how the situation was handled. In a statement, County Judge Gerald Robinson criticized both the arrest and the use of force:
'Concerning the incident which occurred after the regularly scheduled June 9th, 2025 Quorum Court meeting, where eight justices—Reginald Johnson, Melanie Dumas, Reginald Adams, Margarette Williams, Alfred Carrol, Cedric Jackson, Richard Victorino, Brenda Bishop Gaddy—all walked out in protest, leaving the regular scheduled meeting without enough members to have a quorum to continue county business. Upon the adjournment of the meeting and approximately twenty minutes later, the eight reconvened and started another special meeting.
Mr. Garland Trice was arrested during a public comment section. From all indications, in my opinion, it was a violation of his constitutional rights. Viewing the video footage from a number of social media sources, I fail to see the probable cause for an arrest and the excessive force displayed by the Sheriff and deputies of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
I'm also puzzled as to why the Sheriff even got involved, because he has verbally stated in the public and through social media sources that he is not the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Quorum Court. He has also shown that he would not perform these duties in open court when asked by this Judge to escort people from the meeting when they were being unruly, one being former Justice Lloyd Franklin Jr. and best friend of the Sheriff.
In my opinion, he (the Sheriff) has clearly demonstrated that he is not an officer of the Quorum Court and his involvement was unwarranted!'
Justices remain divided on how to handle Trice's behavior going forward.
Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll (District 1) acknowledged the disruption but said banning Trice outright may go too far:
'If he shows up, he is going to do what he can to be disruptive. Do I think that he should be banned from the meetings? I do not think so. Even though he is very disruptive, uncooperative, and prevents a lot of business from being conducted, he is still a taxpayer. Unless he comes back and continues down this road of not following protocol, I think he should be allowed. He is a citizen, he has political aspirations, and likes to be involved.'
But Justice Reginald Johnson (District 3) believes stronger measures are warranted:
'Well, I think that Mr. Trice should not be allowed to come to our meetings by the judge.'
'I hate that this has happened to him due to his age — he is an older gentleman — and I just wish that if he is going to come, he would simply have respect. Because you don't tell justices of the peace to simply shut up in a meeting. That's just wrong and it's disrespectful.'
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