Agent A No Show, RO Walks
The Jasper County prosecutor’s office Thursday dismissed a felony weapon charge that a Joplin man was facing for allegedly chasing off an employee of an automobile repossession business with what appeared to be a working stun gun.
Richard L.W. Scofield, 23, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Jasper County Circuit Court on a charge of unlawful use of a weapon. The charge was dismissed when victim Zachary Hatfield did not show up to testify.
A probable-cause affidavit states that Hatfield was attempting to contact the owner of two vehicles he was repossessing July 2 at 198 Home St. when Scofield met him at the front door of the residence, asked him to get off the property and threatened to shoot anyone with his business who returned to the address.
Hatfield was walking away when Scofield allegedly came at him with a small combination flashlight and stun gun that was displaying an electrical arc, according to the affidavit. Hatfield escaped harm but told police he felt physically threatened. Police later located the device inside the residence and took Scofield into custody on the assault charge.
