(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)
A Neosho man was found guilty by a Newton County jury after a two-day trial on counts of tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.
The jury issued a not guilty verdict on a third count of felony property damage. Sentencing will be in mid-December.
On November 13, 2017, Hurst was placed under arrest for trespassing, resisted arrest at the scene and slipped his cuffs while deputies were tending to another subject. He was able to crawl through a small window to the front compartment of the vehicle and drive off in the arresting deputy's patrol vehicle.
He led police on a chase, reaching speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour, according to Deputy Rico Engberg who testified on Tuesday, November 2.
Former Deputy Chad Deuhring testified Wednesday morning that he was able to successfully "pit maneuver" the vehicle on Neosho Boulevard near Harmony Street where Hurst was ultimately taken into custody.
"Winning at trial is vitally important to our office's goal of keeping our community safe. My staff put in countless hours of preparation and we were pleased at the opportunity to try a case on our home turf," said Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch.
"I've repeatedly underscored during my time as prosecutor that attacks on police will not be tolerated. In Newton County, we believe in defending the police while far too many parts of our country would rather defund them.
"We hope this jury verdict deters future criminals from committing crimes in Newton County. We remain committed to seeking justice," said Assistant Prosecutor J. D. Hatcher who first chaired the trial.
The case was investigated by the Newton County Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by William Lynch and J. D. Hatcher of the Newton County Prosecutor's Office.
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