A special prosecutor has been appointed to hear charges filed against two Columbia police officers by real estate broker Richard Lokey.
Circuit Judge Anthony Mozingo selected Forrest County Prosecuting Attorney Pam Castle to handle the case after Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Lawrence Hahn recused himself.
Hahn is also the city attorney in Columbia, and Mozingo said in his order that Hahn has a working relationship with the police officers being accused, Lanny Arinder and Joshua McPherson. The judge granted Hahn’s request to be recused to avoid any appearance of impropriety, the order said.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Marion County Courthouse.
Police officers, along with some other professions like teachers, have a right to a hearing before they can be charged with a crime allegedly committed during the course of their job duties.
Police Chief Michael Kelly said he couldn’t comment on the cases because they involve personnel matters.
Lokey swore an affidavit against Arinder alleging simple assault and against McPherson alleging public profanity.
Lokey alleges that on Jan. 14 Arinder “did willfully and unlawfully attempt to cause bodily injury to Richard Lokey by telling him that he will come across the table and whip his a**,” according to an affidavit Lokey swore in Marion County Justice Court.
Lokey also alleges that on Nov. 16 McPherson “did profanely curse at Columbia High School football game, in the presence of two or more persons by saying get out of the d*** road,” according to another affidavit.
Lokey, in a phone interview Tuesday, said he’s been having problems with the police for three years. He said he plans to file additional charges and a lawsuit.
Lokey, 63, said the alleged incident with Arinder happened during a meeting with Police Chief Michael Kelly and Hahn.
“I got to thinking about it: If I had said that to one of them I would have been in jail for assaulting a police officer,” he said.
Lokey said he called the attorney general’s office to learn how to file charges against a police officer and the AG’s office told him it could be done in Justice Court.
Also, Lokey said he had the incident in November involving McPherson on video. After it happened, Lokey said he had called 911 and said it wasn’t an emergency but he needed McPherson to come to his house and bring someone with him. Lokey said his plan was to file charges against McPherson then.
However, Lokey was arrested and charged with abusive calls to emergency telephone service and resisting/obstructing arrest. Lokey said he pleaded not guilty to that charge in Municipal Court and is awaiting a trial date.
