JONESBORO, Ark. – Earlier today, Judge Pamela Honeycutt, assigned to Rachel Anderson’s lawsuit in Craighead County Circuit Court, recused herself from the case due to a conflict of interest, according to court filings.
Judge Honeycutt filed the recusal order on Dec. 20, citing a desire to avoid any appearance of impropriety due to a conflict. Consequently, the case has been reassigned to Judge Melissa Richardson.
The lawsuit, brought forth by Anderson and represented by Luther Sutter of Sutter & Gillham PLLC of Little Rock, was filed in Craighead County Circuit Court on December 7. Defendants named in the suit include the City of Jonesboro, Mayor Harold Copenhaver, and Police Chief Rick Elliott. The claims include defamation, abuse of process, and deprivation of constitutional rights against the plaintiff.
The controversy in Jonesboro centers around the termination of Anderson, the senior video analyst at the Jonesboro Police Department, according to the lawsuit. Her dismissal followed vocal opposition to a bond issue supported by Mayor Harold Copenhaver during a public meeting on November 7. The City Council meeting notice invited public input, stating that “all objections and suggestions will be heard and considered.”
The most recent court filing by Anderson on December 8 seeks a preliminary injunction by the court for a name clearing hearing before the Jonesboro City Council, with the right to testify and to call and cross-examine witnesses, including the Mayor, the Chief, and City Communications Director.
The impending decision on the preliminary injunction request is anticipated to be the next significant development in the case and could occur at any time.
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