It took only a one-day trial to convict a Burnside man of assaulting a police officer — and he may face five years in prison for the offense, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.
Steve Lester, 26, was tried in Pulaski Circuit Court Tuesday and convicted of third-degree assault, with UNITE’s David L. Dalton prosecuting. According to Dalton, Lester assaulted Burnside officer Bruce Blevins on April 10, 2006. Blevins had been dispatched to Antioch Drive in Burnside following a complaint of harassment. While speaking to Lester’s neighbors, the defendant came out of his yard and crossed the street to punch Blevins in the head several times.
Photographs confirmed injuries to Blevins, who testified that he had soreness following the incident.
When on the stand to offer his testimony, Lester claimed that Blevins struck him first and denied assaulting the police officer.
Following the presentation of evidence, a jury comprised of seven men and five women deliberated for 13 minutes before returning to find Lester guilty of third-degree assault — assault upon a law enforcement officer in the course of his duties. Lester requested the minimum sentence, but Dalton urged the jury to hold the defendant accountable with the maximum term of five years imprisonment, which is what was ultimately recommended by the jury. Pulaski Circuit Judge David Tapp ordered Lester’s bond revoked and remanded him into custody, and also set final sentencing for April 26.
“This verdict demonstrates that the people of Pulaski County are not going to tolerate random acts of violence against law enforcement officers,” said Dalton. “In addition, the maximum sentence shows that such lawless behavior is inexcusable and will be punished accordingly.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Steve Lester, 26, of Burnside, was convicted Tuesday of assaulting Burnside Police Officer Bruce Blevins last April. Lester may face five years behind bars for his actions.
March 21, 2007
Burnside man convicted of assaulting officer
- Local News
-
-
Mayor may oust airport board member
- FAA says lease with incoming FBO violates federal regulations
- FAA probing airport board
-
Local man airlifted after two-vehicle crash
-
Mopar Mania to highlight Cruise
-
‘Dry’ forces concerned about wet signs
-
Visitors rave about beauty of Lake Cumberland in May
-
Pulaski’s Memorial Day weekend to be packed
- Locally-born Rotary leader Pigman dies at 78
-
Technology summit gets underway
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
