May 18, 2013
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (AP) -- A judge presiding over the case of a deputy being struck with a car has denied a defense motion to keep uniformed deputies from observing the trial.
The Johnson City Press (http://bit.ly/N1nAYO ) reported Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood said Wednesday he would not bar Washington County Sheriff's deputies from wearing their uniforms to court, but said there will be no intimidation of defendants or the jury.
Local residents Dalvin Stephens and Ashley Nicole McGraw -- both 18-- along with 41-year-old Reginald Dewayne Smith are charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.
Prosecutors say Stephens intentionally swerved a car to strike Deputy Gary Daugherty on Jan. 1 as the officer tried to throw out a spike strip to flatten the tires of a robbery getaway car. Daugherty is still recovering.
