By Amelia A. Pridemore
No decision has been made by prosecutors regarding a Raleigh County volunteer fire chief charged with a crime while on bond for a similar alleged incident, court officials said.
Chief Bruce James of the Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department was charged with verbal assault Saturday night after he allegedly cursed a 65-year-old woman managing a Raleigh Mall bingo hall and drew back his fists. He was released on $5,000 bond.
Beckley Police Chief Tim Deems said James was free on bond after being charged with disorderly conduct, verbal assault and obstructing a police officer after an alleged incident at the Beckley Plaza Kmart last Jan. 6. That case is still pending.
Prosecutor Larry Frail said staying out of further trouble is a standard bond condition. If anyone on bond is charged with another crime, the new case will be reviewed. Depending on the new case’s circumstances and strength, the original bond can be revoked or increased. Bond conditions may also be modified.
Frail said prosecutors have not yet had the chance to review the police report or speak with the officers involved.
“We want to see all that happened, allegedly,” he said. “It will take us some time to follow up on it.”
James said he plans to fight the charges filed against him Saturday.
