An alderman for the Town of Livingston who stands accused of felony aggravated assault from an incident at the Overton County Justice Center in December of 2012 appeared in Overton County Criminal Court on Friday, alongside two of his other relatives.

Alderman David Sadler II, who is charged with felony aggravated assault and also one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct appeared in court January 17. Two of his relatives, his father, David Leon Sadler, Sr., along with Sadler II’s wife, Melody Sadler, also appeared before Judge David Patterson.

Sadler, Sr. was charged with misdemeanor assault with bodily injury, and Melody Sadler was charged with one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct as a result of an incident at the Overton County Justice Center on December 14, 2012 when an altercation broke out shortly after a court hearing. Sadler, II’s charges also stem from that same incident.

Local attorney Michael Savage represented the Sadlers involved in these cases.

Judge Patterson granted both Sadler, Jr. and Melody Sadler pretrial diversion on their charges.

According to Barron’s Law Dictionary, “A pretrial diversion is a program by which first time or petty criminal offenders are not subjected to the regular judicial process, but rather are immediately placed under probationary supervision for a period usually no longer than one year.” The program allows persons accused of a crime to avoid the stigma of conviction and a permanent criminal record by correcting their behavior during the period of probation.

In this case, the Sadlers will complete one year of probation with probation company PSI and if no further trouble, charges will be dismissed.

Sadler, II will return again to the courtroom to answer his charges on April 8.