
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 6, 1994                   TAG: 9405060123
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Adrienne Petty Staff Writer
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

COUNCILMAN MUST BEHAVE FOR 6 MONTHS

Ben Pinckard, a newly elected Rocky Mount town councilman, had his day in court Wednesday in an assault and battery case.

A substitute judge took the case under advisement for six months, said Henry County Common-wealth's Attorney Bob Bushnell. Bushnell took the case after Franklin County's commonwealth's attorney said he didn't feel comfortable prosecuting it.

"Generally, if the defendent doesn't get in any kind of trouble, the case will be dismissed," Bushnell said.

David Furrow, a Rocky Mount lawyer, alleged that Pinckard hit him on the face, resulting in a black eye, before a meeting for creditors of the financially troubled Franklin Memorial Park in March.

Pinckard "conceded that the evidence was sufficient to make out a finding of guilty on assault and battery," Bushnell said, adding that Pinckard apologized profusely to Furrow and others gathered in the courtroom.

"He seemed genuinely embarrassed that he had lost his temper," Bushnell said.

by CNB