Southern
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 47-year-old man who was found guilty by a jury last November of a felony charge of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police was sentenced to two to four years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Feb. 24.
David Robert Southern was convicted following a three-day trial, Nov. 14. The jury, however, acquitted 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,” Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand said 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 accused of third-offense domestic violence for allegedly assaulting his juvenile-age niece.
Both incidents occurred May 4, 2024, according to court records. He received credit for 177 days served in jail.
Southern has another felony case pending in 51st Circuit Court for methamphetamine possession and third-offense habitual offender.
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