Judge sets pretrial date for Bonifay councilman accused of battery

BONIFAY – Arraginement proceedings were recently held for Bonifay City Councilman Robert Urquhart, who is charged with misdemeanor battery. 

The charge stems from a Sept. 21 incident that allegedly occurred before a Bonifay City Council meeting involving Urquhart and a Bonifay resident who claims Urquhart was angry because he called him at home concerning a city matter. 

The alleged victim told law enforcement officials that Urquhart poked him in the stomach.

“Urquhart entered the council chambers, approached my person, and intentionally touched me against my will by poking his finger in my abdomen,” wrote the complainan in a statement to the Bonifay Police Department. “As he did so, he stated, ‘Don’t you ever call my house like that again.’”  

The Bonifay City Council does not have plans to remove Urquhart from his position at this time. A call to Urquhart for comment has not been returned.

A pre-trial date has been set for Dec. 16 in front of Judge Lucas Taylor.