Maury City police chief appears in court
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ALAMO, Tenn. — A West Tennessee police chief accused of assaulting the mother of his child faced a judge Thursday morning in Crockett County. Maury City Police Chief Richard Stitts pleaded not guilty to stalking, assault and harassment charges. His attorney, Will Taylor Hughes, entered the plea on his behalf. “Mr. Stitts is chomping at the bit to be able to tell his side of things,” Hughes said. According to an arrest warrant, the alleged victim told investigators Stitts threatened to kill her or hurt her and called multiple times between July and October of this year. “I’m not gonna make any statements as to the facts of the case right now,” Hughes said. Both sides discussed an order of protection already in place and visitation arrangements for their 13-year-old child. Stitts also agreed to return a handgun to the alleged victim that is registered in her name. Stitts is scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30 for his preliminary hearing. “That’s gonna give us a chance to actually be able to tell our side of exactly what happened,” Hughes said. The state also requested the judge amend the simple assault charge to a domestic assault charge. Maury City Mayor Rayce Castellaw said early this month Stitts, who is a part-time employee of the city, is suspended without pay.
