ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604290027
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BEDFORD
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
A Bedford man has been charged with choking a Bedford police officer into unconsciousness, then stealing the officer's gun and pointing it at him.
Carl Thomas Evans, 33, was charged Thursday with attempted capital murder of a police officer and obstructing justice.
Officer B.T. Smith, a nine-year veteran of the Bedford Police Department, was trying to arrest Evans' nephew, 23-year-old Andre Eugene Evans, on an outstanding malicious wounding charge. A scuffle erupted, and someone came up from behind and placed a choke-hold on Smith, Police Chief Milton Graham said.
"Officer Smith, being unable to breathe, felt himself losing consciousness [and] drew his handgun, but momentarily blacked out," Graham said.
When Smith came to, his own gun was aimed at him. Graham said Carl Evans threatened Smith, then cocked the gun.
Moments later, other officers arrived, and Evans surrendered Smith's gun to them, Graham said. The incident took place on the corner of Franklin and South streets.
Smith was treated for bruises and abrasions at Bedford County Memorial Hospital and released. He had committed "no obvious violations of department policy," according to Graham, and was on medical leave Friday.
Andre Evans is still being sought by police. The malicious wounding charge against him stems from an attack on a motorist who said he was jumped by a mob last week after a traffic dispute in the same area where Smith was attacked.
In addition to the malicious wounding charge, Andre Evans will face other charges, including resisting arrest, Graham said.
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