The Dublin Progress (Dublin, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 43, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 19, 1986 Page: 1 of 32
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- \ •
Vol. 98 No. 43
The Dublin Pr
Dublin’s newspaper since 18 -
empire central
e-°- MX 4543^
25*
iesday, March 19,1988
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Jury finds Bryant not guilty of assault
It took only 40 minutes Friday for a
five woman, one man jury to find
Dublin football coach Bill Bryant not
guilty of assaulting a high school stu-
dent last fall.
Bryant was accused of choking
Willie Quart, a freshman at Dublin
High School, in an incident which oc-
curred Sept 3 at the candy machine
in the Dublin High School gym
According to Dublin Superinten-
dent Don Russell, Bryant's attorney
Sen. Bob Glasgow has requested
Bryant's immediate reinstatement as
athletic director and head football
coach at Dublin High School. Bryant
was suspended with pay Jan 10 pen-
ding litigation
Prior to press time Monday morn-
ing Russell said a board meeting to
consider reinstatement would not be
scheduled until they had heard from
Joe Hairston, the school s attorney
When testimony began Thursday
afternoon. Erath County Attorney
Gale Warren said Bryant was accus-
ed of a (lass C Misdemeanor which
earned a maximum $200 fine Accor-
ding to the charge, Bryant knowingly
committed assault by grabbing
Coiart around the throat and choking
him
During his testimony Cozart said he
was standing by the candy machine
in the gym talking to a couple of
classmates when Bryant, for no
reason, choked him with one hand.
pushed him against the wall and said,
‘Don't poke me in the hand again with
a straight pin.'
According to Cozart he had only
seen Bryant once prior to the incident
and had never poked Bryant with a
pin.
“I had a straight pin putting it in
my shirt to pin on a Beat the Wildcats
ribbon," said Cozart The straight
pin was in the left side erf my shirt,"
he stated
The story of the incident slowly
changed as each state witness
presented their testimony
Darren Gilbert, a senior at Dublin
High School, testified Bryant was
holding Cozart against the wall and
was choking him with two hands
around his throat Robert Tucker,
also a senior, stated he had only a
brief glance of the incident, but
Bryant had grabbed Cozart in the
neck area
Gary Biggs, a freshman at Dublin
High School, testified Bryant caught
Cozart around the neck with one
hand, but he did not know whether or
not Bryant had choked Cozart Biggs
stated that Bryant could not have
shoved Cozart against the wall
because there was no wall m the area
to shove anyone against He also said
Bry ant was hollering at Cozart and
saying something about the candy
machine
•, Ijmdon Northcutt, a witness for the
defense, said the incident occurred
when he lost money in the candy
machine.
“I was jiggling the coin return and
Willie started hitting on the candy
machine with his hands and kicking it
with his feet to get my money back,"
said Northcutt, a freshman at Dublin
High School.
According to Northcutt, Bryant put
one hand on Cozart's shoulder and the
other on his back and asked them, ‘Do
you know how much a candy machine
costs?’
“Then he told us, We don’t beat on
candy machines here,' patted us on
the back and left," stated Northcutt
When Bryant took the stand in his
own defense his testimony agreed
with Northcutt’s.
"I leaned them both in together and
gently moved iCozart) to stress my
point, patted them both on the back,
then went on back to P.E. class,"
stated Bryant. "It was not a big thing
at the time," he said
Bryant said he did not have a con-
versation with Cozart concerning a
straight pm and added, The first
week of school we played the Cross
Plains Buffalos " .
When Warren asked Bryant if he
could explain the difference in his and
Cozart's testimony, Bryant's
response was, "How can you explain
the difference in their i state’s
witnesses i testimonies They didn't
St. Patrick's Celebration
Town turns green
Area residents spent the weekend
"PamUn' Dublin Green" during the
annual St Patrick's Celebration as
the weather cooperated with warm
temperatures and clear sunny skies
Although there were three days of
activities, Saturday was the highlight
with the annual parade. Irish Canter
Irish Stew Cookoff and many contests
and activities
Congressman Charles Stenhulm
took part in several events held
Saturday
Stenholm assisted with the dedica-
tion of the new sesquicentennial
pavilion at W M Wright Historical
Park, was parade marshall, fired the
starting gun for the Irish Canter and
even acted as starter for the Saturday
morning pig races
Other dignitaries taking part in the
St Patrick's activities included
Richard Stephens, Robert Summers
and CoveUe Jones, judges for the an-
nual Irish Stew Cookoff
Spectators lined Patrick Street
Saturday morning to view the annual
parade which included close to 100
entries
The Dublin High School Band led
off the hour-long parade which in-
cluded many floats, antique cars,
queen contestants riding on
decorated cars and several riding
clubs There was even a Shnner
clown who was a former resident of
Dublin
Several groups performed during
the afternoon Saturday at the Fair
Building in Dublin City Park and
there were fairly good sue crowds at
all events Saturday.
The Police Reserv es Fishing Booth
was popular again this year with
several fisherman dropping baited
hooks in the fishing pool full of fish
even match each other."
High school principal Buddy Abies
said he talked to Cozart several hours
after the incident. Abies said at that
time Cozart indicated he had been
choked and said he had been shoved
against the wall.
“He did not seem to be nervous or
apprehensive," said Abies. "He
didn’t seem to be excited about the
incident ”
Abies added. "I said, Willie, let me
take you out of P.E.' but he said he
wanted to stay in class. He said he
had no problems with Coach Bryant, "
Abies stated
Abies said following his investiga-
tion of the incident he recommended
io Bryant that he not put his hands on
students
"It was my determination that the
student had not been physically abus-
ed," stated Abies
Rita Billingsley, a Dublin High
School science teacher, said Cozart
told her Bryant had shoved him
against the wall in the gym.
“I told him with problems of this
kind he should talk with Mr Abies,"
she said.
Ms. Billingsley said Cozart (lid not
say anything about Bry ant grabbing
him, choking him or accusing Cozart
of sticking him with a pin.
"He was not unduly excited,”
stated Ms Billingsley. I felt a stu-
dent would be excited if they had ex-
perienced choking," she said.
The defense also submitted a
videotape of Northcutt, Bryant and
Wayne Thiebaud (playing Cozart i
reenacting the scene. The scene was
filmed from three different angles in
the gym foyer
Bryant’s attorney Glasgow stress-
ed the fact the incident occurred Sept
3, but a complaint was not filed until
Nov. 15.
In testimony not heard by the jury,
Travis Cozart, Willie Cozart’s father,
said he became aware of the incident
several days after it happened when a
teacher called him.
"At that time I called Mr Russell
isuperintendent of Dublin schools)
and told him such action should not be
taking place and could be the basis
for criminal action. I requested
nothing except that it stop,” he said.
T. Cozart said he filed charges
against Bryant after another com-
plaint against the coach had been
taken before the school board and the
board stated no prior complaint had
been made against Bryant
"1 felt my complaint had been ig-
nored and at that time I contacted the
county attorney s office," said T.
Cozart.
When Warren made his closing
remarks he said he expected
discrepancies in the stories of the
l.t«4 t > ■ -m
■ m
The annual celebration started Fri-
day with senior games and ended
Sunday afternoon with a team roping
contest and the sale of fish left in the
city swimming pool.
Several people said they really en-
joyed this year's St Patrick's
Celebration and thought it was get-
ting bigger every year
Results of the different contests
mil be found in the Dublin Progress
this week and next week
High school
principal
resigns
Buddy Abies has resigned as prin-
cipal of Dublin High School and his
last day of work will be June 30
Abies has been high school prin-
cipal since 1964.
Abies announced his resignation to
the school board in executive session
during the March 11 board meeting.
He said he waited until the regular
faculty meeting Friday to announce it
to the teachers.
‘Tm 90 percent sure of where I'm
going, but everything is not finaliz-
ed," stated Abies. "We plan to come
back to Dublin one of these days, but,
in terms of my career, it’s time to
make a move," he said.
“I wish the best for our community
and the school district," said Abies.
‘ I’m sorry to lose Buddy," stated
Don Russell, superintendent of
schools .
■'***$►- .•
1
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Leatherwood Makes Presentation-Pat Leatherwood, Dublin Chamber of
Commerce president, presented a St. Patrick's Celebration t-shirt and a
shillelagh to Congressman Charles Stenholm Saturday morning following
the dedication of the sesquicentennial pavilion erected at the W M. Wright
Historical Park
<Progress Staff Photo i
Council approves new channels
T*ek Shews OH Catch-Tyler Tuck, son of Tommy and Marilyn Tuck of
Dublin, shows off one of the fiah he caught Saturday afternoon at the Fishing
Booth. Young Tuck pulled in two fiah within five minutes.
(Progress Staff Photo)
* Dublin City Council unanimously
approved a rate increase for televi-
sion cable subscribers and an addi-
tion of four channels to the service in
action taken March 11.
Carroll Leigh of Northland Cable
told the council members the cable
company was entitled to a five per-
cent rate increase which would
become effective on May 1. Leigh
said the increase would bring the bill
to $11.03.
"We propose addling four channels
for 52 cents, bringing the total bill to
$11.55." said Leigh.
Leigh said people without cable
ready sets will need to rent or buy a
converter. The new channels,
Nashville, WTBS, 33 and 27, will be
added on channels 17 through 20,
Leigh said.
At the beginning of the meeting
Jerry Barites was sworn in as coun-
cilman of the seat previously held by
the late John A. Johnson Sr. Mayor
Jack Pratt said Barnes had to be
’' tr—‘ .
_ < ■
sworn in at that time in order for
there to be a quorum. Hazel Marx and
O. L. Smallwood were both absent
Pratt announced Mrs. Marx had
undergone surgery earlier in the day
The council unanimously accepted
an offer from Pemco for general
liability insurance for the city
City manager David Johnson told
the council the coverage would be
$22,000 for what cost the City of
Dublin $13,500 last year
We hit 38 companies to write us in-
surance and Pemco is the only one
who has responded," said Johnson.
"Texas Municipal League has said
they would send us a quote in about
two weeks," he said
Johnson said the insurance would
not include law enforcement and
public official coverage
‘ Councilman Jim Leatherwood
made the motion that the city accept
Pemco’s quote on liability insurance
before the St. Patrick’s Celebration
and wait and compare quotes on law
enforcement insurance.
The council heard the second
reading of the Building Code Or-
dinance. Johnson said there would be
one more reading of the ordinance
before the council would vote on it.
( In other action the council approv-
ed purchasing a maintainer from the
state and repairing the roof at city
hall.
state’s witnesses.
"Bryant’s witnesses were very
polished,” he said. "Their perfor-
mance was rehearsed," he stated.
In his closing remarks Glasgow
said. "We agree (Bryant) put his
hand on the boy Educators have a
reasonable right to discipline-to use
reasonable force to maintain
discipline.”
"This case is extremely, extreme-
ly. extremely important to Bryant,"
stated Glasgow. "The state has to
prove guilt to you beyond a
reasonable doubt. If you can’t find
him guilty with a clear frame of
mind, then Warren hasn’t proved to
you beyond a reasonable doubt that
Bryant choked (Cozart) and shoved
him against the wall," Glasgow said.
In the charge to the jury Friday
morning County Judge Randy
Thomas said. Educators can use
force in care, supervision and ad-
ministration of discipline in a group,"
He added, “A person can use force to
protect property which has been en-
trusted to their care.”
Thomas said the jury’s decision
must be unanimous.
Including character witnesses, 20
people took the stand in the trial
which began at 1:30 p.m. Thursday
and ended at 2 p.m. Friday.
A pre-trial hearing was held
Wednesday and the jury was selected
Thursday morning.
D
Absentee
voting is
underway
Absentee voting in the upcoming
school board and city council elec-
tions began Monday and will aid
April 1.
Dublin City Manager David
Johnson said persons wishing to vote
absentee could appear in person or
could vote by mail.
"Those wishing to vote by mail
should hurry,” stated Johnson.
Johnson said the procedure for
absentee voting by mail is to mail in a
request asking for an application.
"When the application is filled out
and returned they will be mailed their
ballot," said Johnson.
Those wishing to vote absentee in
person should come to city hall and
bong their vqter registration card,
said Johnson. Johnson said in-
dividuals could rjot pick up a ballot
for someone else.
The school board and city elections
will be April 5 at Dublin city hall. Bet-
ty Culpepper is serving as election
judge with Dorsa Shackleford serving
as alternate election judge.
Stenholm
dedicates
pavilion
Congressman Charles Stenholm
was special speaker Saturday morn-
ing at dedication ceremonies held for
the sesquicentennial pavilion,
erected at W. M. Wright Historical
Park.
"We re here today to dedicate this
pavilion-to celebrate the 150th birth-
day of the Republic of Texas and to
renew acquaintances,” said
Stenholm.
Stenholm spoke about the impor-
tance of the occasion then outlined
some of the things taking place in
Washington, D. C.
"We’re going to face an economic
crisis i due to the oil and energy
crisis) in Texas and we’re going to
face it in a hurry," said Stenholm.
He also said if the United States did
not develop an energy policy soon, the
nation would again be dependant on
the Middle East for energy.
Stenholm told the group gathered
at the pavilion he was leaning to sup-
port aid to the Contras in Nicaragua.
"I believe the threat of Com-
munism is real," he said.
Following Stenholm’s comments,
Pat Leatherwood, president of the
Dublin Chamber of Commerce,
presented Stenholm with a “Paintin’
Dublin Green” t-shirt and a
shillelagh '
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The Dublin Progress (Dublin, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 43, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 19, 1986, newspaper, March 19, 1986; Dublin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth778891/m1/1/: accessed July 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dublin Public Library.