The Webster Progress-Times

A hearing for a Webster County constable charged with two misdemeanors has been continued until next month.

Jeffery "Mark" Jones made an initial appearance Friday in Justice Court, pleading not guilty to simple assault and domestic violence charges filed against him last month. He is District 1 constable.

Sheriff's Deputy Bill Denley filed the simple assault charge. It alleged that Jones, 47, put Billy and Brenda Alford in fear of bodily harm by drawing back the butt of a shotgun as if he was going to strike them on July 10. The constable's wife, Susan Jones, who is the Alfords' daughter, alleged in the other charge that Jones strangled her, pulled her hair, sat on her to restrain her and threatened to kill her the same day.

Friday in Justice Court, Judge Rebecca Ellison (District 2) told Jones to stay in touch with his attorney and the cases were continued until 1 p.m. Sept. 12. Ellison announced that she would recuse herself from hearing the case and expected Judge Jerry Jones (District 1) to do the same.

On Monday, county Prosecutor Jan Butler presented the Board of Supervisors with a letter announcing that he was also recusing himself from the case. Butler said because he will continue to work with Jones in other cases, he felt it would be in the best interest of all concerned to recuse himself from prosecuting the two cases pending against Jones so there will be no appearance of prejudice or favor to or against him.

He also requested that the board employ a special prosecutor to handle the cases against Jones. If the judges formally recuse themselves also, a circuit judge will have to appoint a special judge.