An Oklahoma man pleaded not guilty to a charge he assaulted a 16-year-old softball umpire.
Robert Thompson, 38, of Jay is charged with aggravated assault. He entered the plea Tuesday at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Thompson was arrested June 10.
He is accused of choking a man, according to court documents.
Gravette police were called at 8:28 p.m. June 10 to the baseball fields, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Thompson was a coach for the Jay team, according to the affidavit. Court documents do not specify the age group of the team.
A witness told police Thompson got upset after he was thrown out of the game, according to the affidavit. Thompson pushed the teenage umpire into a fence and grabbed him around the throat, according to the affidavit.
The umpire told police he ejected Thompson after the coach pushed him, according to the affidavit.
Police obtained several statements from the Jay players and spectators. They described the umpire as aggressive and said Thompson was defending himself. They also told police Thompson should not have acted the way he did, according to the affidavit.
Thompson was released from the Benton County Jail after posting a $7,500 bond.
He was ordered not to have any contact with the umpire and not to participate in any softball games in Benton County.
NW News on 09/04/2019