Josephine County commissioner won't be charged - Gate House

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By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier October 29. 2014 4:00PM Josephine County commissioner won't be charged Josephine County District Attorney Stephen Campbell announced Tuesday that his office will not file charges against Josephine County Commissioner Keith Heck based on a Grants Pass police investigation into an altercation between Heck and Dale Matthews that occurred on Oct. 1 at Anne Basker Auditorium. Matthews, a local videoblogger and frequent critic of county government, claimed that Heck assaulted him during the incident. Campbell, in a news release, wrote, "There is insufficient evidence to prove that Mr. Heck subjected Mr. Matthews to offensive physical contact." The confrontation happened following a Board of Commissioners meeting when Matthews observed Heck and fellow Commissioner Simon Hare talking with Charles Chase, a deputy fire marshal with the Oregon State Police. Matthews accused Heck and Hare of holding an illegal meeting because the two of them comprised a quorum — there are only three county commissioners — and they were allegedly discussing county business. Matthews claimed that Heck took umbrage at his comments and assaulted him near the front doors of the auditorium, prompting Matthews to file a police report. Heck said he did not initiate any contact with Matthews. The police investigation included interviews with Chase and Terri Wharton, a recorder for the Board of Commissioners, who supported Heck's version of the events. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141029/NEWS/141029612 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->