Como man, 68, accused of threatening to kill over apparent dispute

By BRUCE ALSOBROOK | News-Telegram Managing Editor

June 20, 2007 - A Como man was arrested for felony aggravated assault Tuesday, accused of pointing a gun at another man and threatening to kill him earlier this month.

Hopkins County Sheriff's Sgt. Victor Cosme served the arrest warrant on John Edward Beezley, 68, at 2:05 p.m. at Community Bank. He was taken into custody, then allowed to follow deputies to the county jail, where he was booked on the second-degree felony without incident.

Soon after, Hopkins County Judge Cletis Millsap arraigned Beezley on the charge. Beezley was then released on a personal recognizance bond. Sheriff's officers said there were no conditions placed on Beezley's release.

The arrest apparently stems from a dispute over property on FM 1567. A report was taken on June 7 when a man told deputies his neighbor pulled a gun on him, saying "he didn't like him mowing his land."

Hopkins County Sheriff's Investigator Lewis Tatum filed the formal complaint Tuesday alleging that on June 7 Beezley "did then and there intentionally, knowingly or recklessly threaten to cause bodily injury to [the victim], to wit: defendant displayed a handgun and pointed it at victim threatening to kill him.

"The defendant did then and there use or exhibit a deadly weapon, to wit: a handgun, during the commission of said assault," Tatum wrote in the complaint.

If convicted on the charge, Beezley could face two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.