A Little Rock man arrested off of Dickson Street on New Year’s Eve pleaded not guilty Friday to choking a Fayetteville police officer.
Khiry Morris, 22, pleaded not guilty in Washington County Circuit Court to charges of aggravated assault, second-degree battery and possession of fraudulent identification. His trial date was set for April 8, according to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
Morris remains in the Washington County Detention Center on $7,500 bond. He is also being held at the jail in connection to a Little Rock warrant for his arrest, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
A Fayetteville officer responded to Z330 Bar near the intersection of West Avenue and Watson Street, in response to a physical disturbance call. He saw several people fighting inside the establishment.
While attempting to separate two people, the officer felt someone grab him around the waist and the throat, he later reported. The officer pushed the man to a nearby fence for leverage, at which point the suspect wrapped both hands around the officer’s throat, according to a preliminary report from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
The officer said he was unable to breathe at the time, as the suspect allegedly attempted to force him to the ground. The officer broke free from Morris’ grasp and handcuffed him, according to Fayetteville police.
While transporting Morris to the Washington County Detention Center, police noticed the suspect had an active warrant out of Little Rock on suspicion of aggravated robbery, the preliminary report states.
