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THE LEADER Thursday, March 4, 2010
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Serving All of Tipton County
Established 1886
Volume 124 • No. 18
www.covingtonleader.com
Trooper, wife indicted on child abuse charges By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com BRIGHTON - A state trooper and his wife were indicted Monday by a Tipton County Grand Jury. Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Marvin Lee Norfolk Sr., 46, was arrested on allegations he physically abused a juvenile family member. The alleged abuse – which was investigated by the Tipton County Sheriff's
The investigation revealed both had lied to detectives and agents, which led to both Norfolk and his wife being charged with filing a false police report. Sources say Norfolk has been on administrative leave from the Tennessee Highway Patrol since late January. The Norfolks will make their first court appearance on Thursday, March 4. The juvenile remains in the custody of his mother.
Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Dept. of Children's Services – consisted of bruising and welts to the face, back, upper torso, arm, thighs, legs and groin area. The incident allegedly took place at Norfolk's Planters Grove Trail home in Brighton during a court-approved visitation over the Christmas holidays. During the investigation, Norfolk and his wife Dawn, 37, denied the allegations.
Trooper Marvin Norfolk was arrested Monday evening after being indicted on child abuse charges. His wife Dawn was also arrested for filing a false police report. Photo by Echo Day
Formal charges expected in playground fire tributed their time and more than $200,000 to its construction. Days after the fire, outraged residents vowed to help rebuild the beloved playground. A telethon was held at the park on Feb. 26 and more than $21,100 has been donated to the rebuilding effort. Covington Mayor David Gordon said the city had a $5,000 insurance deductible, which will replace the park as it was when it was destroyed. Any changes in materials, lighting and security will not be funded through insurance. City officials could start rebuilding the park in as early as three months. At press time, charges had not been officially filed. Log on to www.covingtonleader.com for more information.
By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
Stu Phillips reviews police reports and documents relating to the assault of his 17-year-old daughter by her 16-year-old ex-boyfriend. His daughter is just one of many teens who've reported teen dating abuse. Photo by Echo Day
Dating violence hitting closer to home By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com ATOKA – Dating violence amongst teens has become an epidemic in the U.S. and it's hit close to home for one Atoka family. Just before Christmas, Stu Phillips received a phone call that changed his life. He found out that his 17-year-old daughter had become a statistic. "I came home from work and discovered my daughter had been beaten by an ex-boyfriend," he said. "That's a heartbreaking and miserable feeling." Phillips said on Dec. 21, 2009, the teenager lured his daughter to the family's front yard while his wife was on the back patio. And that's when he assaulted the 17-year-old. "He was hitting her with his fists, he was kicking her, he had her on the ground, was spitting
at her, he had his hands around her neck and was choking her …" According to the police report, the ex-boyfriend, age 16, got back into his vehicle, drove into the driveway and rammed her vehicle, then got out and shoved her against the wall and began choking her until she screamed. Shortly after, he left the Phillips residence. Photos taken by Phillips show bruises and lacerations on the 17-year-old's arms, legs, back, face and head. When he arrived home and found out what happened, Phillips called the police. "They responded and assured me the boy would be arrested that night," he said. "I was told he'd spend Christmas in jail. I was feeling pretty good about that, then I found out later he was brought down to the station and talked to, then released to
the custody of his mother." The last two months have been nightmare, Phillips said. In January, his daughter was charged with harassment after violating a no-contact order and responding to messages sent by her ex-boyfriend. And her attitude towards her parents has also changed. "He's brainwashed and manipulated her and turned her against her mother and me," Phillips said. "It's to the point where we're the bad guys and we've caused all of the problems." This, say the experts, is one of the signs someone is being abused by a romantic partner. Other signs of abusive relationships include changes in personality, depression, visible marks or bruises, emotional outbursts, victims putting themselves down, making excuses for their partSEE VIOLENCE, PAGE A2
Correction The Leader made an error in last week’s story about Mueller Copper Fittings citing OSHA violations, fines and other issues at Mueller’s Covington facility when, in fact, the problems cited were largely in the Fulton, Miss.,
Mueller plant. A letter from a Mueller official explains the errors in detail and appears on page A4 of this week’s Leader. The Leader regrets the errors in last week’s edition. Mueller’s Covington office was con-
tacted repeatedly for comment and clarification of the situation and refused to return calls to The Leader prior to the running of the story. Still, The Leader erred apologizes to its readers and to Mueller officials for the mistake.
COVINGTON – Formal charges were expected to be filed Wednesday against juveniles officials believe set the blaze that destroyed a Covington playground. Sources said the case was turned over to the district attorney's office Wednesday morning and petitions were expected to be filed in Tipton County Juvenile Court. Limited information can be released on the two juveniles because they are minors, the District Attorney General Mike Dunavant said. The blaze, which was set on Feb. 23, completely destroyed Covington's Project Play playground which is located at CobbParr Park. In the summer of 2003, the playground was built by volunteers who con-
Covington police make arrests By ECHO DAY eday@covingtonleader.com
COVINGTON – Police have been working diligently to get drugs off of Covington's streets, seizing more than four pounds of marijuana and other drugs in recent weeks. Last week, a search warrant executed on Walter Street resulted in two arrests and a sizeable amount of illegal drugs. According to incident reports, police entered the home and located the residents in the bedroom. Officers searched the bedroom and found a bag containing 358.2 grams of marijuana, then found 79.4 grams in the kitchen. Police also say Terrence Taylor, 33, had $1,175 in cash in his pockets and $100 in his jacket. He, along with wife Tonya, were arrested and charged with the possession of schedule VI drugs with the intent to sell. Both were released on $2,500 and will make their first appearance in court later this month. Also arrested were in February were: • Jimmy Wayne Shahan, 22, 1411 Howard Street, Covington; 1 gram marijuana. Shahan was charged with possession of a controlled substance. • Michael Leonard, 22, 1405 Howard Street, Covington; 54.3 gram marijuana and $2,500. Leonard SEE ARRESTS, PAGE A2
Area events events Area This week’s week’s Featured This featuredChurch: church: Covington • Barretville • Millington • Collierville South Tipton • South Covington Morgage Offices: South Tipton • Millington • Arlington • Collierville
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Quito Methodist Church Turn to to Page Turn PageA7 A7forfordetails details
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March of Dimes Walk-a-thon
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Exchange Club Carl Perkins Dinner
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