Covington criminal case dismissed

A criminal case against a former Walhalla policeman was dismissed this morning in the court of the Westminster Magistrate.  Judge Will Derrick dismissed the charge of assault and battery third degree against former officer Zach Covington after, according to an officer of the court, the alleged victim in the case failed to show up for the jury trial.  The alleged offense grew out of an on-duty call to which Covington responded last fall to an apartment complex.  Gordon Senerius, defense attorney, said Derrick had considered the testimony of Matthew Lowell crucial to the prosecution of the case.  Without it, the judge decided, the case is dismissed and the jurors who were summoned were excused.  Senerius described Covington as “obviously happy.”  But as to whether Covington rejoins the police department, Senerius says that, in part, will be up to the Walhalla Police Department.  Blair Stoudemire, an assistant solicitor, said he’s unsure if the dismissal will be appealed.  Stoudemire said he first will have to explore avenues as to whether an appeal could work.