August 7, 2008
Union Leader
LACONIA – A simple assault charge against the newly hired Salisbury police chief was dropped after his wife told police she was not assaulted, according to Meredith Police Lt. Keith D. True.
Frank Jones, 49, of 20 Arrowhead Drive, Bow, was arrested July 24 and charged with grabbing his wife’s arm.
The case was dismissed yesterday morning in Laconia District Court, clearing the way for Jones to be sworn in as chief of the Salisbury Police Department. The case originally was scheduled for Sept. 3 but was brought forward yesterday, hours before last night’s scheduled Salisbury Board of Selectmen meeting.
The alleged assault was reported by Mrs. Jones’ son, Steven. Steven, in the 911 call to police, said Jones would not let his mother leave a trailer at the Clearwater Campground on Route 104 in Meredith.
“Steven stated that Jones would ‘toss his weight’ since he is a police officer,” according to the police department’s computer log.
According to a news release issued by True, on July 31 Mrs. Jones sent police a three-page, notarized written statement indicating there was no assault.
“The statement along with a lengthy conversation reduced the state’s ability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed,” True wrote. “There were no eyewitnesses to the alleged assault.”
True said Mrs. Jones’ statment also indicated there were hard feelings between her son and Mr. Jones.
Frank Jones was represented by attorney Robert Hemeon, who filed a motion requesting the case be dismissed.
True said based on “the further investigation into this case, no objection was filed by the state. The court dismissed the case.”
No one answered the phone at the Jones’ residence and messages could not be left.