FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - A district judge has convicted a former city director candidate of third-degree battery and given him a one-year suspended sentence for shoving the mayor of Fort Smith following a meeting.
Bentonville District Court Judge John Skaggs heard testimony before reaching a verdict Friday in the case of Eric Arthur. Skaggs ordered Arthur to serve 90 days in jail but suspended the term on the condition that Arthur pay a $500 fine and not commit any crimes.
Arthur can't have contact with Mayor Sandy Sanders outside of city meetings.
Sanders accused Arthur of shoving him to the ground following an Aug. 16 board of directors meeting. Arthur said Sanders struck him with his shoulder.
Arthur's attorney, Dan Stewart, told the Northwest Arkansas Times he's disappointed and considering an appeal.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
