David Southern was found not guilty of third-offense domestic violence
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
Southern
LUDINGTON — A 46-year-old man was found guilty by a jury of a felony charge of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police following a three-day trial in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Friday, Nov. 14. The jury, however, acquitted David Robert Southern with a not guilty verdict on a second felony charge of third-offense domestic violence.
“The body camera footage introduced at trial demonstrated the defendant’s demeanor and his failure to comply with the officer’s lawful commands,” said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand after the trial. “Southern, after being unsuccessful at convincing the officer to let him out of the patrol car following his arrest, alleged a need for medical treatment.” Southern intentionally spit on the officer, said Hand. After less than half an hour at the hospital, medical personnel said Southern was “cleared for incarceration.”
Southern was also accused of third-domestic for allegedly assaulting his juvenile-age niece.
“The victim testified that when Southern initially entered the room where she and her brother and friends were hanging out, he was yelling and had foam on his mouth,” said Prosecutor Hand. “Southern then crouched down in front of her, was in her face — his face was within inches of hers, he grabbed her shoulders and placed her in fear. She was emotional on the witness stand. The other minors who testified, corroborated in large part, her version of the events.”
Both incidents occurred May 4, 2024, according to court records.
Southern has another felony case pending for methamphetamine possession and third-offense habitual offender. Sentencing for the police officer assault conviction is set for Jan. 13.
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