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Century Town Employee Gets In Fight, Leaves Inmate Alone; Punishment Debated
February 4, 2009
The Town of Century is debating what action should be taken after a town employee left a state prisoner unattended in parking lot, and after he got into a fight while on the time clock — a fight that got him arrested.
Escambia Sheriff’s Department reports say that Robert Allen Powell, 56, of Century got into a fight with Randall Keith Grimes, 47, of Century at the town’s Dollar General store.
Powell stopped at the Dollar General in a town truck along with a prisoner from the Century Correctional Institute that was on work detail for the town. Powell reported went into the store to purchase cold medication, leaving the prisoner unattended in the parking lot. Inside the store, Powell ended up in the altercation with Grimes.
Their stories differ on what happened. Powell told deputies that Grimes called him names and then punched him. Grimes said Powell called him a “retard” and a “bastard” before Powell punched him in the face. Powell told deputies the entire incident stemmed from Grimes’ involvement with his ex-wife.
The report says store surveillance video shows that Powell threw the first punch, according to the ECSO report. Powell was arrested on a battery warrant, and released on a $2,500 bond.
The big issue for some members of the Century Town Council was not the fight, but the fact that Powell left the prisoner unattended outside the store.
“The issue is not with the man defending his honor,” said council member Henry Hawkins. “It’s about leaving the prisoner unattended.”
“I investigated it to the best of my ability,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. McCall is supervisor of all town employees. McCall said the store’s surveillance video does not tell the whole story; the mayor said that Powell stated he threw the first punch after Grimes spit in his face.
Court records indicate that Powell filed for a restraining order against Grimes. A hearing in the matter is scheduled for today before Judge Kim Skievaski.
McCall said the prison system will continue to allow the town to use free inmate labor. Powell will not be able to supervise an inmate until after his court process is complete, but McCall said prison officials had stated that he would be able to supervise prisoners in the future.
McCall said the prison system would “overlook” the fact that Powell stopped to get the cold medicine, and that the prison warden did not consider it a big problem.
“He was on company time, in a company vehicle and in charge of an inmate,” said Council President Ann Brooks. She added that since Powell was representing the town and was a town employee he should be held responsible for his actions.
The town’s personnel manual does spell out that an employee can face punishment ranging from a written reprimand to three days suspension without pay for fighting, according to Town Clerk Dorothy Sims. It does not spell out any punishment for leaving a prisoner unsupervised.
Hawkins recommended that the town determine what punishment the prison system would inflict on a prison employee that might leave a prisoner unattended. He said the town should consider a punishment “up to” that level. His motion to take such action died without a second.
McCall said he would find out how the prison system would deal with an employee committing such an offense and report back to the council.
Powell will face Judge David Ackerman on February 19 on the misdemeanor battery charge.
Grimes has not been charged in connection with the incident.
Comments
29 Responses to “Century Town Employee Gets In Fight, Leaves Inmate Alone; Punishment Debated”
MW i agree with you ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you are right !
There was no restraining order given to “our man” , the judge refused to give him one. Tri City Ledger WRONG AGAIN!!!! GET THE FACTS PLEASE!!!
Amen to that.
I was embarrassed when I read about this, and I wasn’t even there, nor do I live in Century. I did used to work there however, and I go to a meeting there every month. What a shame.
Okay, so we all have a difference of opinion, arguing and cutting each other down is not helping this situation at all.I don’t know either of the men personally, but I know there has to be two sides to everything. I just think everyone needs to leave this in the hands of the city council and Mayor. We can sit here everyday with a she said, he said opinion that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. I(my own opinion) is it is ridiculos for two grown men to be fighting over a woman. This is really an embarssment to the town, no matter who is at fault.
Concerned Citizen said, “Terri…you are a business woman, I cannot believe you would digress from the facts and start to quote the Bible.”
We have all digressed from not knowing more about the Bible, and following it’s teaching. How can one digress by quoting it? I say that not knowing it and proclaiming it is the TRUE digression. It was Christ who said, “turn the other cheek.” When I read about the spitting part of the incident, I felt sick. I had rather have a black eye than to be spit on. YUK!!! Even so, when I read that, my simultanious(sp?) thought , also, was of Jesus being spit upon. I actually wondered if I would do what He says do. That concerns me, for I should have that settled. Many still do not comprehend that Jesus Christ was The Word made flesh. People claim to know God, but still do not seem to realize that they cannot truly know Him, unless they KNOW The Word. For THAT is who He is. (I am not shouting. The caps are for emphasis) In view of the things that are coming to pass in the USA, as well as around the world in 2009, I do believe I need to be in Him, literally, and into His Word, more than everm AND quoting it when it is pertinent. He IS our only True Hope. And yes, Delane, God is (Holy). Thank you for pointing that out in your last post. I really do wish, though, that folks wouldn’t use His Name so lightly. Anyone who has ever been in His Presence, and felt the weight of His Glory, would be hard pressed to ever take/use His Name lightly again.
Terri…you are a business woman, I cannot believe you would digress from the facts and start to quote the Bible. Ms. Brooks will definitely try to force the letter of the rules for the employee without any regard at all for personal feelings, hers or the employees. That in itself is the problem with Ms. Brooks. She is a very black and white thinker with no empathy, that is why we need her plus others who have empathy to balance the situation.
You obviously have never been spit on, whether you are a “real” man or “real” woman, that one act can bring one to violence.
This is an age old fight-men fighting about a woman. I doubt this is causing him as much distress as it is causing the rest of Century.
The prisoner didn’t run, no one was injured. Let’s start worrying about jobs, food for our children, shelter for our neighbors.
I bet Jesus couldn’t stand being spit on either,yet he took this treatment for you and me.you CAN walk away from anything…it is your choice how you react to any given situation…
Matt 26-67
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands
mark 10-34
And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again
mark 14-65
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
mark 15-19
And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
The prize mentioned is a person, she has lived and worked in this area for years.
The prize made a choice a long time ago about her living arrangements. I believe that Mr. Powell did stop and confront Mr. Grimes on purpose, cold medicine could have been purchsed before or after working hours. Again, as someone stated most ALL medications state that you should not operate vehicles or machinery while taking them. Not only was mr. Powell endangering his prisoner (Worker) he was attempting to endanger anyone who had a need to drive on that day. So, reasoning that Mr. Powell is a competant person, we can all assume( or reason) that Mr. Powell had an agenda when he stopped at that part icular store at the same time as Mr. Grimes, there are other stores in this town that sells cold medications. The article does not state if the security camera picked up any evidence that Mr. grimes spit on Mr. Powell, but I can tell you that if I were called these names in public I would not be as easy to deal with as Mr. Grimes was. Legally the only person charged was Mr. Powell, guess that tells us who was ultimately responsible for the fight. If there are no rules in the Century emloyee manuel then there really needs tobe a council meeting and a new hand book needs to be written….The Escambia countysheriffs department should handle the investigation and the town of Century needs to handle the discipline of their employees. Just remember The Prize is a person, she did not leave Mr. Powell yesterday, she left a long time ago, Mr. Powell needs to move on and left The Prize live the life she has chosen…I now her personally and she is a very caring and likabe person, she is a business operator and a giving person. Yes the prize was worth the trouble.
Lets all think before we speak……….
I agree with Garrett, Powell know all of Grimes’s vehicles so knowing that you opinion is most likely true. I also agree with Sanders, if this were anyone else they would be fired on the spot. Or should I say in another town they would be fired. How many town employee’s does the people have to pay for goofing off on our time.
All this talk about wheather the prisoner would run or not! My God (Holy) does anyone not read the papers and watch the local news reports? There are several instances a year where work realease prisoners “run”. And if they were honest they would not be in prison. The Powell guy messed up, big time in my opinion. Since this is sounding more and more like a soap opera, I think the Powell man saw Grimes vechile at the store and more than likely went in to confront him which is exactly what happened. Now I think he should have to find another job and get out of a situation where he can possibly endanger lives.
First of all, people need to quit saying get a good lawyer and sue the Powell man and the Town of Century. That’s one thing right now that is wrong with this Country. You want to sue if somebody looks at you wrong, GET OVER IT!!!!! They think that is a good way to make a quick buck, but it can cause so many things to take place. The Town of Century dose not need that .Second, the Mayor did have a right to check out all the stories that were being told, after all he is the Mayor and it was one of the Town workers that was involved. Third,
haven’t you seen prisoners working on the side of the roads and the guard sitting in a big truck watching them, they also can run at any time. Maybe the Powell man shouldn’t have
stop at the store with the prisoner, but that tells me that he did not go in that store looking for any trouble, because he knew he had a prisoner in his vehicle. Fourth, I don’t think I could have been a real man as you put it and walk away from someone spitting in my face. That is the worst kind of scum that anyone can do. I had rather be hit, slap, or cuss at but spit on is one thing I will not tolerate.
Mrs. sanders I try to do what is right. If you hit me I may be able to walk away, but if you spit on me I will try to knock your running lights out. I think that is about as low as you can stoop to spit on anyone!
This one is sooooo easy folks…..
1.The town’s manual says an employee involved in a fight can face disipline of some type. Robert Powell was in a fight. Plain and simple…mete out the disipline,not according to what the prison might would do in a case like this,what difference does that make?The town has a policy. Now is a prime time to start following it to the letter. And my guess is that Mrs.Brooks will push for that. The problem will be getting the rest of the council to support her. We still have some good old boy politics going on here.That is why we have the caliper (or lack of)of some of the employees that we do. If the suvellience camera caught Powell throwing the first punch did it catch Grimes spitting also? And remember these are not young punks we are taking about…these are grown men….immature and irresponsible but grown men. A real man would have walked away spit or no spit.
or maybe called the law….I sure hope the woman he got was a prize.
The town of Century is in DESPERATE need of some really good educators. There are too many reasons to name. I have to go, and do not have time to list them. Perhaps someone else would like to give that a shot.
To Delane Garrett: I am so glad that when you use The Lord’s Name for emphasis(?), you at least know that He is Holy.
At His Name, one day soon, every knee will bow.
I believe it is careless and irresponsible to leave a prisoner unattended in public. I cannot believe they are looking at it like it is no big deal that he was left alone in a parking lot around customers. I don’t care how near the end of their sentence is , they are still a prisoner. The dollar store is open till 9:00 why didn’t he just go after work or get another employee to watch the prisoner while he run in if it was early in the day? I believe if there was not a rule in place to the employees about leaving the prisoners unattended then it should immediately become one for the safety of our community!
WTJ what do you mean about the Sunshine Law? I’m not following you. The Sunshine Law just says they have meetings in the public. I don’t see where it has anything to do with this.
Mr. Mayor, do the words “Sunshine Law ” mean anything to you. If not, ask our previous mayor about the meaning. I think there should be an investigation into the situation because obviously every mayor the town elects feels the need to break the “Sunshine Law”
If I were on the clock at work and decided to go and buy cold medicine at the Dollar Store, I would probably be fired. Why didn’t Powell wait until he was on his own time and not the towns. Futhermore, the fact that he left an unattended prisoner in the vehicle should mean that he automatically looses his job. No questions ask.
I think that Mr Grimes should hire a good attorney and sue the Town of Century, Mr. Mcall for stating his personal opinions and the Tri City Ledger for publishing them.
Holy Jesus is there no limit what people can do when they are on the time clock, when they work for the city and taxpayers are footing the bill? Leaving prisinors unattended, while they shop in Dollar General and getting in fights to boot. My, My,My! Sounds like the City needs to look into who they hire???
nice folks………….
The prisoners that the Town works are fairly close to serving their time and going home. I will not say none of them would run, but it’s not likely because they are ready to go home and start anew. If they wanted to run, they would do it anyway, and if they did the town employee could not or woild not run after them and try to stop them , all they coild do is call the prison and report that one had run. I do not believe Powell went into the store to harass Grimes I think the world has come to a bad time when old men are fighting over a woman. Hey good ridance would be my motto!
AMEN…………….MW!!
I don’t understand why everyone is making excusses for Robert Powell. If this was anyone else they would be arrested for disorderly conduct. If I were Grimes not only would I have Powell’s job but I would also have the mayor’s job. He isn’t the police and he should have let the police do their jobs and not get involved. McCall is trying to cover his rear, Powell had a prisoner, unattended. There is no excuse. If it were me I would no longer have a job! So why is McCall covering? Didn’t Century just go through something like this with the last mayor, covering for an employee?
What is the difference in leaving a prisoner unattended in a vehicle, as apposed to leaving a prisoner unattended on the side of the road to do work detail? If he wants to run he will run.
Give Robert a raise and a bonus!!!! Isn’t that what the Town Of Century usually does for employees that really show their true side in public!!!!
“Cold medication” sounds like a rouse or a diversion at best so that Powell could have a reason to go into the store on company time. It appears to me that Powell was spoiling for the altercation with Grimes over the ex-wife and now Powell will have to pay his dues. As for the town, Grimes might go get himself one of those high dollar lawyers and sue the town and mayor for lack of control of the employee on the town’s time.
Here’s a question: did Powell have a cold to support his story?
Yeah, right Nikki…”you ask Robet if he talk with the prisoner about not getting out of the car?”
“Please Mr. Prisoner, don’t run away. I am going to be inside for five minutes so I can get cold medicine that will get me too high to drive!” Most every cold medicine says not to drive while using it anyway. It’s about responsibility, and leaving a prisoner alone in a parking lot where I might drive up with my baby is not responsibility. The town would have been so liable if he had hurt my baby.
what Robert has done is no worse than several other people from town of Century has done!!!!!!!!!, as far as the prisoner did you ask Robet if he talk with the prisoner about not getting out of the car????????Robert was just lucky the prisoner was a honest man…….. If Robert thought this prisoner would get out and run i dont think Robert would of left this guy in the can,…….
Why does this article not surprise me?