Posted: 11/30/04
Arkansas man arrested again
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Rickey George, 45, appeared in court again last week, this time for allegedly violating a harassment restraining order.
The Violet Hill, Arkansas, man was ticketed by Caledonia Police officer Jim Stemper on November 22 for making two telephone calls to the county public health department.
George appeared in Third District Court the next day. Judge James Fabian told George that George was obsessed with a Caledonia family and was making daily calls to them. If that continued, Fabian said in a stern voice, George would be charged with stalking.
Fabian said George should limit his contacts to official business.
George responded that people in the courthouse wonít help him.
Fabian told George that nobody in the courthouse had treated him unfairly.
ìIíve lost everything I got except my life,î George said, his demeanor alternating between laughter and tears during the 15-minute appearance. ìThey took my children.î
George was referring to the fact that his parental rights for his two children, ages three and one, were involuntarily terminated by Judge Fabian on November 2. He is appealing that decision with the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Prosecuting attorney Timothy Murphy said that George had other city matters pending against him. ìI donít know what needs to be done to get our point across,î Murphy said.
Fabian set unconditional bail at $5,000 and conditional bail at $2,500. He told George to have no contact with any courthouse employee except for official business.
As the judge was leaving, George asked him why he had to go to jail.
ìBecause you keep appearing here over and over again,î Fabian answered.
George posted bond that same day. He appeared in court again on November 29, but did not enter a plea. George was also charged on August 12 with one count of making terroristic threats, a felony; and two counts of disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. He has not entered a plea on any of these charges.
Public defender Kurt Knuesel of Winona has asked the court to deny admission of three pieces of evidence in the terroristic threat charge. Judge James Fabian took the request under advisement on October 27. He has not made a ruling yet.
George has also been charged with driving without a valid Minnesota license, fifth degree assault, and disorderly conduct. He pled not guilty to those charges on August 23, and has requested a jury trial. The date for this has been set for January 10 at 9 a.m.
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