The judge presiding over a criminal case for Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) director John Cooper has pushed back the trial date for the third time.
Cooper is charged with misdemeanor harassment/intimidation after a land dispute in Marshall County. He was arrested last June.
The victim, neighbor George Carter, claims Cooper threatened to shoot him over an easement on the property.
A civil suit was filed by Cooper against Carter in the name of his company, South Sauty Creek Resort, Inc. The suit also names Carter's wife and First State Bank, where the Carters' mortgage is held. Cooper claims the easement the Carters are trying to use to gain access to their property does not exist. The suit claims the Carters trespassed on Cooper's property after a warning.
George Carter told 1819 News the easement was deeded to his family and that Cooper's wife previously signed a conveyance on the property.
The civil case trial is set for May 24.
After speaking with attorneys, District Judge Mitchell S. Floyd moved the criminal trial back because he said some pertinent facts would be decided in the Circuit Court's civil case.
The criminal trial has now been reset to June 10 at 1 p.m.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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