CASEYVILLE - Resident Billy Hayes criticized mayor G.W. Scott Sr. at a meeting of trustees on Feb. 19 and five days later three police cars rolled up to his home on South 7th Street.
Officers stepped out and one gave him a piece of paper.
Hayes said in an interview the next day that he flipped it into the air.
He said he told the officers to get off his property and they didn’t.
The exchange continued and David Bettis who lives nearby heard it.
In an interview on Feb. 26, Bettis said, “It was getting a little loud over there.”
“It was a lady, a tall one and a short one," he said.
“The short one was raising hell.
“They just kept pushing him, trying to get him to respond.”
He said he took off his oxygen and walked outside.
“I got my mail and headed over there," he said.
He said Hayes asked him, “Are you witnessing this?
“After that things started cooling off.”
“You want to know what I told them when they left?
“I told them I hate to see you coming down the street because I know you’re harassing him.
“Then I came home and went back to my oxygen and Billy came over to thank me.
“It don’t take three cops to serve a notice or a warrant.
“They may be down here harassing me next.”
The piece of paper notified Hayes that Associate Judge Maurche Belk granted a petition of Kristin Scott, wife of G.W. Scott Jr., for an emergency order of protection.
The order also protects G.W. Junior, Brooke Scott, Braelynn Scott and Kevin Scott.
The complaint didn’t indicate any threat or any action except posting on social media.
Hayes can respond at a hearing on March 11.
If any of the Scotts in the order goes to the trustee meeting on March 5 Hayes can’t go.
On Feb. 27, police chief Tom Coppoletti released a statement that, “The reason we sent three officers is there was an officer safety issue.
“Mr. Hayes has a violent criminal history including assaults on law enforcement, which I have first hand knowledge of.
“He openly bragged about his assaults on police and disdain for them.
“Whenever possible I will send more than one officer when dealing with such an individual.
“The officers were within policy and showed great restraint dealing with Mr. Hayes.”
Hayes said on Feb. 28 that he was charged with assaulting an officer as a juvenile and has not assaulted any officer since.
He said he served eight years of a 25 year sentence for aggravated arson and Madison County judge James Hackett released him after someone else confessed.
“My case was nationwide," he said.
“I’m not a perfect guy. I’m a little rowdy sometimes.
“Anything I’ve ever done, I don’t lie about it.
“If they know I’m a bad guy why did they stay?”