Violence erupts in Greene County
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Three separate assault reports led the Greene County Sheriffs Department to five arrests in a one-week period.
The week started off with a bang on Monday when what is traditionally known as a holiday of love turned into an all out brawl for a group of Boligee women.
Three young women assaulted a juvenile near Boligee on Valentines Day prompting deputies to make three arrests. Warrants were sworn after a relative of the victim reported the incident.
“Her mother called and said that her 17 year old daughter had been assaulted,” said Syphus Stanton, with the Greene County Sheriff’s office. “She said they jumped on her and beat her.”
As a result Kim Harper, 22, of Boligee, Ashley Hopper, 19 of Boligee and Tinna Edwards, 22, of Boligee were taken into custody and charged with assault, third degree. The reason for the altercation was unknown. Harper was later released on $1,000 bond.
One day later police again responded to a violent situation when Sarah Freeman reported her husband Joe Freeman had assaulted her. Charges were filed and Freeman was taken into custody on Feb. 15. He was released a day later on a $500 bond.
Things remained fairly quiet for the rest of the week. However, Monday saw another violent incident and another arrest. Over the weekend Melvin Carpenter, 37, of Boligee allegedly assaulted a man while leaving a party. The victim stated Carpenter was leaving a local club when he apparently punched a man in the face with no provocation. Stanton said Carpenter cooperated with authorities and turned himself over soon after the incident.
“He said he was leaving and just punched him for no reason.” “He came in and turned himself in the next day.”