Hardridge Creek Incident, Injury and Arrest

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
Date: Jun 11 2014 6:58 AM

HENRY COUNTY:    This past Sunday morning a chain of events unfolded in which a Dothan woman received injuries and subsequent surgery from those injuries. The incident unfolded in the campground at Hardridge Creek.

The incident that occurred involved a golf cart hitched to a boat trailer. The golf cart belonged to me, Rickey Stokes. Two weeks before, parked within feet of my golf cart, someone stole two wave runners from the park.

Arrested and charged are Cole Battles and Judson Buchanan. The Henry County Sheriff Department first charged the two with Assault. Twentieth Judicial Circuit District Attorney Doug Valeska, who was not in Henry County and was in trials in Houston County, called moments before the two were to be arraigned before Judge Peterson. Valeska ordered the charges be changed to Robbery and Attempted Murder.

Battles and Buchanan appeared before Henry County District Court Judge Derek Peterson for arraignment. Judge Peterson set the bonds on each offense at $ 130,000.00 with an order that Battles and Buchanan not have any contact with the victim in this case.

Both Battles and Buchanan made bond on the charges.

THE VICTIM

I am not mentioning the victim’s name because I do not know if the family wants it released. I will say I know the victim’s husband and have eat lunch with him. They are fine people.

She certainly does not deserve to be injured. First and foremost in this incident and aftermath, her health and welfare is the most important issue.

Prayers are lifted up for her and her family.

THE CHARGES

While they are charged with offenses so ordered by Doug Valeska, each face a maximum of two life sentences in the Alabama State Penitentiary.

I do not know the chain of events which occurred. I have spoken to both young men and was involved in the arraignments and made each of their bonds. I have not questioned them about what occurred. On orders of the attorney, neither young man can comment on anything. And as of this writing the attorney has not met with either of the two young men.

BATTLES AND BUCHANAN

These two young men are great individuals. Any parent would be honored to say, Cole Battles or Judson Buchanan are my children. Any parent would be honored to say, my daughter dates Cole Battles or Judson Buchanan. Any parent would be honored to say, my son in law is Cole Battles or Judson Buchanan. Any employer would be honored to say, Cole Battles or Judson Buchanan work for me.

Battles and Buchanan are devastated, emotional basket cases, scared to death to be charged with and facing two life sentences each in the Alabama State Penitentiary.

These two young men are like my own children. They have been raised with my children. We have all spent many hours together. They have great parents who are wonderful people. I love these two young men as if they were my children. Since their arrest, as their families have and the two young men have, I have literally cried for (1) the injured victim (2) these two young men. I am honored to say these two young men are my friends.

THE INCIDENT

I do not know the factual chain of events. I have not asked. This article is not a debate of how things occurred or who did what and who is responsible for anything.

Again I will say, my golf cart was involved.

THE PRAYER

The most important and first priority is, the lady who was injured, her health and return to normal life. All other will then run it’s course.

It is the sincere prayer of Battles and Buchanan for her health and welfare. They are under court orders of no contact with her or her family.

ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER

I do not know the facts. Regardless of what happen,  Cole Battles and Judson Buchanan are not robbers or someone that would attempt to murder someone.

In the future, we will know the facts. There was a chain of events which occurred. What the facts are will be found out later.

CONCLUSION

Prayer is needed for the victim and the two young men and all members of their families.

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