Prosecutor Drops Misdemeanor Charge

WEST FORK — A misdemeanor charge against former Farmington High Principal Chris Webb for violating an order of protection was “nolle prossed” on March 5, according to Pauletta Welch with West Fork District Court.

Welch said the decision not to prosecute the case was made by Farmington Prosecuting Attorney Marcia Brinton and means that the charge is dropped conditionally but can be brought back within the next 12 months if necessary.

An order of protection was issued by Washington County Circuit Court against Webb on Aug. 3, 2012, at the request of his ex-wife, Dina Andrejcik, and was in effect until Nov. 4, 2012. Andrejcik requested the order of protection following Webb’s arrest on July 19 for aggravated cruelty to a dog, domestic battery and refusing to submit to an arrest. Their daughter was in the house at the time of the incident.

Andrejcik filed a report with the Farmington Police Department that Webb violated the order by texting her on Nov. 4.

The case was transferred from Prairie Grove District Court to West Fork District Court.

On Friday, Farmington City Attorney Steven Tennant said he and Brinton discussed the misdemeanor charge at length and decided not to pursue the charge for two reasons. For one, Tennant said the order of protection was effective “until” Nov. 4. The legal definition of the word “until,” Tennant said, is “up to the time of” or “up to.” The order did not say it was in effect through Nov. 4, Tennant said.

In addition, he said Andrejcik has moved out of this area and did not leave a forward- ing address.

“We tried to find her and she’s nowhere to be found,” Tennant said.

Webb, 43, has been acquitted of the felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the July incident. Circuit Judge Wllliam A. Storey acquitted Webb on Feb. 12 because of mental disease or defect and committed him to the Arkansas State Hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

A second order of protection was issued against Webb on Feb. 27 at the request of his former finance, Shannon Shrum. This order, signed by Judge Cristi Beaumont, is in effect for three years, according to a spokeswoman with the circuit clerk’s office.

In the request for protection, Shrum stated that Webb had her in a choke hold and was trying to “poke” out her eye during the incident on July 19. Her petition also states that he slammed her head to the floor, repeatedly hit her with a Bible and had “calm, quiet episodes,” as well as erratic, violent behavior.