Tonight's appeal hearings for three former Blytheville police officers will likely be handled similarly to past hearings by the Blytheville City Council.
This morning, Councilman Mylas Jeffers, who chairs the Police and Fire Committee, said the Council will hear a statement from the individual or his lawyer before going into executive session.
The Council will have to vote in open session on whether to uphold the terminations of Terry Winkles, Jason Wolfenbarger and Earnest Frye.
On Jan. 7, the council upheld former officer Dewayne Lindsey's termination. During that hearing, the board allowed an opening statement by Lindsey's attorney, Jim Harris, then went into a 1 1/2-hour executive session.
As allowed by state law, only Blytheville Mayor Barrett Harrison and Council members went into closed session initially, then later called back the other individuals allowed to be in executive session, Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson, Lindsey's immediate supervisor Sgt. Matt Jackson and Lindsey.
A similar process is expected at tonight's 5:15 appeal hearings at the Blytheville Municipal Courtroom.
Winkles was terminated last month after an incident of "the domestic realm," Thompson said in a press release April 14.
"The offense of harassment is not necessarily a high-profile offense, and though routinely reported the parties involved, often don't seek or require enforcement action in the end," Thompson wrote in response to a media inquiry. "However, the offender in this case is a Blytheville police officer and the victim is his wife. The Blytheville Police Department takes any allegation made against an officer of this department seriously, especially those within the domestic realm. The department has looked into the matter and has taken action against the officer."
Meanwhile, Wolfenbarger and Frye were both fired two weeks ago for allegedly not complying with the city's policy that says employees must live within the 72315 zip code.
Wolfenbarger apparently lives in Paragould, while Frye resides in Osceola.
rharris@blythevillecourier.com
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com