Saturday, June 16, 2012

Chip Dillard Exhonerated of Charge




On August 25, 2010, a Huntsville television station published a report concerning Florence attorney Edward Ray (Chip) Dillard. We picked up the report and blogged on August 27th concerning the attorney's arrest for "lewd" behavior. The problem? There was no lewd behavior.

Dillard is partner to Lauderdale County Commission attorney Chis Smith who was widely reported at the time to be a candidate to succeed retiring probate judge Dewey Mitchell. Our main thrust in the blog was the impact such charges would have on Smith's candidacy. While Smith, for whatever reason, did not run, both Democratic and Republican candidates for the position are juris doctors, and the office will now be in good hands.

Obviously, we also have a major interest in protecting local children; however, no children were present at the UNA lion habitat when the incident occurred. Yes, this was also reported by the television station, but we have been forwarded copies of both the original arrest report and a later December 2011 Lauderdale County District Court affidavit by Robert G. Pastula, head of UNA police, stating that no children were present at the time Dillard urinated in bushes while well covered.

We do wish Mr. Dillard had contacted us earlier concerning this outcome. We are happy to publish followups and corrections on any issue on which we comment.



Shoalanda

5 comments:

  1. During a mass streaking night at Auburn, the police got so frustrated trying to arrest the streakers as they would tackle one and the crowd would pull the cop off and the streaker would get away to run another day. This friend was one of the crowd following the streakers from one area of campus to another. He went into the bushes to relieve himself and was arrested for indecent exposure.

    A woman on the other hand wouldn't be doing this, we find a proper restroom.

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    1. Can vividly remember pulling off the Interstate to a Wendy's and having to make a circle of the parking lot to find a space. At the back, only partially hidden by a camper was a man and his dog, both relieving themselves. I wish that I had been able to take a photo since it was amusing, but I also thought what if the police had driven by. I'm sure the man's wife was probably inside ordering and didn't expect to have to bail hubby out of some strange jail.

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  2. I wish I had a dollar for every time in my younger years that I had used the bathroom by a tree. In my opinion, this case has been blown completely out of porportion. I have known Chip for several years and don't believe he would have acted in a manner such as this. This is unbelieveable!!!!

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  3. do you believe he would now? http://www.wnem.com/story/32075370/florence-attorney-arrested-charged-for-human-trafficking

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    1. Believe he would expose himself to school children? No, we really don't. As for the current charges, we're trying to keep an open mind, but we're also hearing that the evidence is overwhelming.

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