Inmate shackled for court session

  Searcy County inmate Nicklous Parfish Pettry, age 25, of Marshall was shackled and wore a spit hood during his appearance in Searcy County Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 10. The chains and mask were necessary since Pettry assaulted a judge, injured a Searcy County Deputy and spit in a detention officer's face, and Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell's face during his court appearances on February 14 and February 25.

  During his court appearance on March 10, the Honorable Judge H.G. Foster ordered Pettry to be held in the Searcy County Detention Center without bond while awaiting his pre-trial hearing scheduled for April 13. Foster also ordered that Pettry is to undergo random drug screenings.

  Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Fruehauf charged Pettry with two counts of 2nd degree battery of certain victims, two counts of Aggravated Assault Class D felony; and obstructing governmental operations (use or threaten physical force), Class A misdemeanor.

  Pettry has been incarcerated in the Searcy County Detention Center since November 22, 2019 on a second degree battery charge.