ST. MARTINVILLE- Mayor Melinda Mitchell’s husband is facing a misdemeanor simple assault charge following an incident involving a city councilman.
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms Lawrence “Manny” Mitchell was issued a summons for misdemeanor simple assault. Deputies say they are still investigating the matter.
Police chief Ricky Martin says he witnessed the incident when it happened last Friday. Martin says Mitchell called him to get Councilman Craig Prosper’s phone number. Martin says he refused until getting Prosper’s permission to give out his number. While he was on phone with Prosper, Martin says Mitchell arrived at his home. Martin says he asked Prosper if he would like to speak with Mitchell before handing his cell phone to Mitchell.
“Manny started cursing him, telling him to stay away from his wife,” Martin said. “He told him, ‘I’m gonna kick your (expletive).”
Prosper corroborated Martin’s story, saying he could hear Mitchell speaking with Martin through the phone before Mitchell got on the line.
“He said he wanted to meet up with me, but I don’t want to have anything to do with him,” Prosper said. “He told me, ‘I want to meet up with you because I want to beat your (expletive) (expletive). I’m gonna kill you! I’m gonna (expletive) kill you!'”
Prosper says in addition to filing a complaint with the sheriff’s office, he has filed for a peace bond against Mitchell. A justice of the peace will hold a hearing on the matter Tuesday.
KATC called Mayor Melinda Mitchell’s cell phone seeking comment on the matter. Our calls went unanswered, and our message has not yet been returned.
