A verbal confrontation outside of the Henry County Courthouse on September 17, led to a Clinton man having his bond revoked.
John W. Masterson was arrested by officers of the Clinton Police Department, following a brief verbal altercation as Masterson was attempting to enter for his court appearance.
According to Sheriff’s Department personnel, Masterson was denied entry, stating that his alleged agitated condition was not permissible to attend the public proceedings.
A bailiff interrupted the felony hearings of Associate Judge Harold Dump, to say that a situation had occurred outside the courthouse and that they needed to speak with the judge.
During that brief meeting in chambers, Dump immediately revoked Masterson’s bond.
Outside, Clinton Police Officers drew a taser and threatened to subdue the suspect if he did not comply with law enforcement commands.
According to a video of the confrontation, Masterson immediately got on his knees and held up his hands.
“The suspect complied right away,” said Police Officer Joseph Hartwick. “We used our training and employed the minimum amount of force necessary.”
Police officers then took Masterson to the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, for processing into the county jail.
Masterson, though late to court, was supposed to appear at a case review on two counts of 4th degree assault charges.
According to law enforcement’s probable cause statement, the defendant allegedly tried to pick a fight with a police detective on August 3 of this year, threatened a neighbor with a shovel on July 8, on April 25 threatened a female employee at the Sonic Drive In, resulting in the use of a taser by law enforcement.
At press time, Masterson’s next court date has not been set. He remains in the custody of Henry County Sheriff J. Kent Oberkrom, at the county jail in Clinton.
