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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 21, 1994                   TAG: 9412210107
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DEVELOPER CLEARED OF ATTACKING MOTHER

Assault and battery charges were dropped Tuesday against a Botetourt County developer accused of roughing up his mother.

But Jim Hancock must stay away from his mother's house, according to an agreement reached in the case.

Dorothy Hancock, 87, had said her son grabbed her Nov. 23, threw her down and banged her head into the floor. Jim Hancock said after Tuesday's hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court that his mother was wrong.

"The alleged assault never occurred," he said. "She had health problems. It's a sad affair."

Details of the agreement were worked out by Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Hagan and lawyers for both Hancocks.

"She wants peace in her home and personal security," Hagan said.

Tom Blaylock, Jim Hancock's attorney, said he hopes Hancock and his mother can work out their differences.

"We're not admitting that he did anything wrong," Blaylock said.

by CNB