The case against a city alderman and two of his relatives has been bound over to the next session of the Overton County Grand Jury.

Livingston Alderman David Leon Sadler II, is charged with aggravated assault, assault and disorderly conduct following an altercation at the Overton County Justice Center last December. Aggravated assault is a felony while assault and disorderly conduct are misdemeanors. His wife Melody Ann Sadler is charged with misdemeanor or disorderly conduct. Sadler’s father, David Leon Sadler, Sr., is charged with misdemeanor assault.

DeKalb County Judge Bratten Hale Cook, who is presiding over the case, bound all three defendants and all five charges over to a grand jury following a lengthy preliminary hearing a week ago Monday morning, August 12.

The events began on December 14, 2012, in the courtroom of the justice center, when an Order of Protection filed by the Sadlers against Jamie Burnette (Sadler II’s sister) was dismissed in court. Testimony in court indicates the family and friends were split, with half hanging around in the courtroom waiting on the other half to leave. When they met up in the lobby and just outside the door, an altercation ensued.

Justin Harris, assistant district attorney from Macon County, called four witnesses: Gail Sadler Little, who is the sister of Sadler, Jr.; Dock Little, her husband; William J. Barnes, the reported boyfriend of Jamie Burnette; and Conor J. Oliver, nephew of Barnes.

All four testified there was an altercation following a court hearing on December 14, 2012.

The police report indicated three people were injured: Dock Little suffered multiple fractures to his shoulder, while Barnes had multiple contusions and lacerations to his head and face. In court Monday, Little said he is still having problems with his shoulder and Barnes testified he suffered chipped teeth. David Sadler II is accused of being the aggressor on both men. Conor J. Oliver reportedly suffered a sore neck from allegedly being choked, and knee problems. Sadler Sr. is accused of injuring Oliver.

All four witnesses called by the state in Monday’s hearing had roughly the same version of events: That there was an altercation, that Melody Sadler was allegedly yelling, that David Sadler II allegedly pushed Dock Little and reportedly punched Barnes, that Oliver reportedly attempted to get Sadler II off of his uncle and that Sadler Jr. reportedly held Oliver in a “choke hold” to get him off Sadler II.

Defense Attorney Michael Savage extensively questioned each witness about the chain of events, specifically where they were located when events occurred and who was standing near them.

Judge Cook said there is probable cause for all five charges and advised the district attorney “there’s a fine line between assault and aggravated assault.” Cook told Harris he had seen people charged with aggravated assault for less damage than a chipped tooth or a damaged knee and said the state may consider altering the charges.

Cook also indicated the bond on all three Sadlers may continue with the condition that they stay away from all the alleged victims. Savage then requested the alleged victims stay away from his clients.

“Everybody just stay away from everybody,” Cook said, explaining all participants in the altercation were lucky they weren’t held in contempt of court for starting a “brawl” on the justice center grounds.

“You never get anything but trouble when there’s pushing and shouting,” Cook said. “It’s a shame the family can’t get along…let the courts deal with your problems.”