Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, December 31, 2014
(MARKLEVILLE) - A central Indiana town booted out its police chief Monday night without public comment and without the chief himself in attendance.
WTHR reports that Markleville, a small town of little more than 500 residents about 50 minutes northeast of Indianapolis, became a center of political infighting at Monday night's town council meeting.
The meeting was marked by a packed house. At least, that's what authorities in the Madison County town said. Citizens told Eyewitness News they had never before seen the sign saying the meeting room could not hold more than 40 people. The assistant police chief - who is also Chief Sam Weist's father - was among those denied entrance to the meeting under the premise that the room was already at capacity by the time he arrived.
The meeting went quickly. A motion was raised not to renew Chief Weist's contract. Without discussion, a vote was called, ending 2-1 against the chief. The council president then immediately called the meeting over - without a motion to adjourn, and against the protests of the citizens who managed to get into the meeting.
Eyewitness News asked Council President Landis Harper why he wanted Chief Weist out, but he would not comment under the advice of counsel.
Weist wasn't at the meeting Monday. On Sunday afternoon, he stopped to question three teenage boys about reports of rocks being thrown through the windows of an abandoned building in town. Weist said he was attacked after getting out of his car to talk to them, and he went down in the struggle. He was dragged two to three feet on the roadway.
He told Eyewitness News in a phone interview before the meeting that his back and the back of his neck were still very sore.
The boys were later found, with one 15-year-old facing preliminary juvenile charges that include battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Most citizens told WTHR after Monday's meeting they supported Chief Weist over President Harper.
Chief Weist said he'll probably get attorneys involved. Monday's vote was not to renew his contract, but Weist told Eyewitness News he didn't have a contract to renew.
Meanwhile, residents wonder about the future of their police department.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.