The district attorney’s office declined charges Friday in a domestic abuse case involving a police officer and his police dispatcher wife.
A deputy with Carter County Sheriff’s Department was called to the Hewitt Street home of Johnny and Misty Denney about 8:10 p.m. Thursday.
“We were called in at the request of the Lone Grove Police Department,” said Undersheriff Milton Anthony, who said Deputy Randy O’Hanlon was assigned the investigation of a verbal disagreement that accelerated into violence.
Anthony said the investigation revealed Denney’s wife “hit him in the back of the head and he pushed her away. She said she fell face- first into a door, but she had no physical signs of injury. He had a cut over his right eye.”
Anthony said investigative reports were submitted to the district attorney for review early Friday.
District Attorney Craig Ladd said two factors led to the decision not to file charges in the case.
“Given the conflicting statements, there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who was the aggressor and both parties said they did not wish to pursue charges,” Ladd said.
Police Chief Robert Oldham said Friday afternoon, Denney was back on duty.
“The DA declined charges — he (Denney) was the victim,” Oldham said.
While the officer is back on the job, his wife’s continued position as a police dispatcher remains in question.
“She took (time) off after it happened. She will remain off until the city manager makes a (job status) decision,” Oldham said.
Efforts to reach City Manager Marianne Elfert Friday afternoon were unsuccessful.
Marsha Miller
221-6529
