The case against a Jamestown man arrested following a five-hour standoff with police earlier this month is moving to the Russell County Grand Jury after new felony charges were filed and a preliminary hearing was held this week.
Melvin Beard, 54, was taken into custody on the evening of July 15th after refusing to surrender to local and state law enforcement officers at a residence on Basket Factory Road. Jamestown Police had obtained an arrest warrant following a domestic violence incident earlier that day in which Beard’s wife suffered injuries, including a gunshot wound to her arm. She was treated at Russell County Hospital and later released.
As the investigation continued, Jamestown Police filed two additional felony charges against Beard on July 23rd: Wanton Endangerment First Degree and Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon.
Police say the new wanton endangerment charge stems from the discovery that Beard’s 14-year-old daughter was inside the home during the altercation when the gun was fired. Investigators also determined Beard has a prior felony conviction in California, leading to the charge of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
During a preliminary hearing Monday in Russell District Court, Jamestown Police Officer Heath Tarter testified about the domestic violence investigation and the standoff that followed after an arrest warrant was obtained.
Following Officer Tarter’s testimony, Judge Scarlett Latham ruled that probable cause exists on four felony charges: Assault First Degree, two counts of Wanton Endangerment First Degree, and Possession of a Handgun by a Convicted Felon. The case has now been waived to the Russell County Grand Jury for further proceedings.