Trial of former Little Rock officer in bar fight ends with plea bargain

Harris
Harris

The trial of a former Little Rock police officer involved in a Fayetteville bar fight last summer ended abruptly Thursday when Jeffrey Harris pleaded "no contest" to misdemeanor assault and harassment charges in a plea bargain with prosecutors. Harris received a 1-year suspended sentence and a $1,500 fine.

Harris, a former state trooper who joined the Little Rock Police Department in 2011, was charged with aggravated assault after he and former Prairie Grove Officer Rex Frederick were involved April 12 in a fight at Billy’s Pool Hall on Razorback Road.

The officers were drinking beer and shots before starting a fight and pulling their guns, witnesses said. Harris’ defense attorney, Bill James, told jurors during the trial that Harris was only protecting himself, his son and Frederick when he pulled a handgun in in the middle of the melee.

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