Covington case restored to “pre-trial” status

The Solicitor’s Office succeeded this afternoon in restoring the State’s case against a former Walhalla policeman to the position of “pre-trial, jury strike.”  The ruling judge said the status of the case against Zach Covington returns to where it was before a hearing last Tuesday, when the charge of assault and battery third degree was dismissed.  Today, however, Magistrate Will Derrick granted a motion by assistant solicitor Blair Stoudemire.  The defense now has a week to decide whether it will appeal Derrick’s ruling or submit to the selection of a trial jury as a way to resolve the case.  Neither Stoudemire nor Matthew Lowell, the alleged victim, was present for last week’s proceeding in front of Derrick.  At issue at today’s proceeding was whether had received proper notice for him to have been present last week.  Derrick indicated Lowell’s presence today was a sign Lowell has interest in seeing the case go to trial.