Charge dropped in attack on Benton mayor

Mayor alleges it’s because of ‘good old boy’ politics

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/news/20170731/charge-dropped-in-attack-on-benton-mayor

BENTON, IL –  (Gefforey Ritter, Benton Evening News.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens

Franklin County’s top prosecutor has dropped a criminal charge against the man accused of punching Mayor Fred Kondritz in the face last spring — a move Kondritz says is driven by the “good old boy” politics of southern Illinois.

Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan Owens confirmed this week that he has dropped his prosecution against Albert L. Smith of Benton, who was arrested Feb. 8 following an incident that afternoon at Fred’s Super Dollar.

Smith was booked into the Franklin County Jail that evening on a charge of aggravated battery of a public official. He was released on bond the same night.

Owens said this week, almost six months later, that while he has declined to file charges, the investigation remains open.