Circuit Judge-elect Enters Not Guilty Plea; Trial Date Set

JONESBORO, Ark. – Circuit Judge-elect Doug Brimhall entered a not guilty plea to the charges related to his May 21 arrest.

Brimhall has pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault on a family and household member and domestic battery in the third degree, Special Prosecutor Robbie Jones confirmed to NEA Report. The plea was entered on June 28.

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A pretrial hearing date has been set for September 19 and the jury trial is scheduled for the week of October 7, according to the special prosecutor.

The charges stem from an incident on May 3, 2024 on Prestwick Circle. Allegedly, Brimhall returned home from the country club heavily intoxicated and began arguing with his 16-year-old daughter, eventually dumping water on her head. Brimhall’s wife left with the daughter and a witness before they later returned. Upon their return to Prestwick Circle, Brimhall was outside and still in his underwear. The probable cause affidavit stated he jumped onto his wife’s vehicle and broke the front windshield. A witness, also a juvenile, was in the front seat. Subsequently, a physical altercation allegedly ensued where Brimhall choked his daughter until she said she couldn’t breathe. Read the full details in our report here.

Brimhall’s attorney, Bill Stanley, said in a statement, “Suffice it to say that Mr. Brimhall would never harm his own children, or anyone for that matter.” The full statement is included at this link. 

Several other developments have been recorded by the court in the case. Brimhall has added attorney Paul N. Ford to his legal team, with Ford filing his entry of appearance on June 27.

Brimhall’s legal team has filed a motion to suppress evidence in the case. The motion seeks to disqualify evidence on five counts, including unlawful search and seizure, conversations overheard or recorded by eavesdropping, any confession or admission involuntarily made, evidence obtained under those previous three items, or prospective in-court identification of the defendant based on an “unlawful pre-trial confrontation.”

However, the special prosecutor filed a response, stating that all evidence collected in the case was done so in accordance with the constitutions of the United States and the State of Arkansas, and all applicable statutes, and rules of procedure.

Brimhall’s attorney also issued subpoenas to two medical professionals from two separate clinics: a licensed professional counselor and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, focused primarily on medication management.

More court filings are likely in the three-month span between now and the October trial date, which could change if either party files continuances.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.