Suspended Arnold officer to get counseling
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Suspended Arnold police sergeant and former chief Eric Doutt has agreed to undergo counseling with the hope that Westmoreland County prosecutors will drop assault charges against him, his lawyer said after he waived a preliminary hearing this afternoon.
Sgt. Doutt was charged with simple assault, hindering apprehension, obstruction and harassment after he allegedly shoved an Arnold police officer who was trying to arrest his wife.
Police were trying to arrest Mr. Doutt's wife, Karen, after she allegedly slapped Mr. Doutt during a domestic dispute at their home May 11, according to a criminal complaint.
Sgt. Doutt was attempting to remove his wife from the vehicle when he shoved an officer, according to the complaint.
Sgt. Doutt denies both that his wife slapped him and that he shoved the officer, his lawyer, Daniel Joseph, said. Mr. Joseph said no violence occurred during their dispute. Sgt. Doutt claims he "brushed" the officer while trying to remove his crying wife from the cruiser, his lawyer said.
First Published July 20, 2012 12:00 am
