BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com

COURTLAND—A judge last week dismissed burglary charges against a Sedley man, claiming there was not enough evidence to prove that Ronnie Stanley was attempting to burglarize two Franklin businesses.

A Southampton County Circuit Court jury, however, convicted Stanley of assaulting two Franklin police officers. He will serve a mandatory six months in jail for each assault.

Police at 12:45 a.m. Jan. 31 found broken glass at The Grey Fox restaurant and arrested Stanley after they believed he was burglarizing the business. They also charged him with a break-in at Franklin Automotive. Nothing was taken from either place.

Because the suspect had cut his foot on the glass, Stanley was taken to Southampton Memorial Hospital. Once there, he reportedly became extremely aggressive and kicked two officers in the chest, bruising them. Restraint was required for the suspect, who also reportedly threatened to kill the officers and nurses.

“We’re disappointed by the jury’s verdict,” said Jack Randall, attorney for Stanley. “There were some significant appellate issues, and we fully intend to exhaust all avenues in the court of appeals.”