Jonesboro, AR– The recent drama around Circuit Judge-Elect Doug Brimhall is continuing, as an investigation on an attack to a family or household member is ongoing.
In March 2024, the citizens elected Doug Brimhall to be the Circuit Court Judge for the second district, and he is expected to be sworn in for the newly elected role in January.
On May 7th, 2024 Doug Brimhall resigned from his position as Deputy Prosecutor, that came as multiple news sources reported an altercation with limited details.
Complete Affidavit
NOTE: The information below is an altered affidavit on the situation that occurred. There were three witnesses and for that matter they will be referred to as Witness 1, Witness 2, Witness 3.
That altercation occurred on May 4th, 2024, when Jonesboro officers were advised of a domestic incident that occurred on Prestwick Cir. the day before (5/3/2024).
Officers were advised that on the 3rd, Douglas Brimhall arrived back from the Jonesboro County Club intoxicated. Mr. Brimhall then proceeded to enter a room with his wife and when exiting later, was only in his underwear. He then proceeded to walk into victims room, where he laid next to the victim, attempting to wake her up.
The victim became angry at Mr. Brimhall for waking her and a verbal altercation then occurred. Mr. Brimhall then dumped a bottle of water onto the victim, berating her and then leaving the room.
Due to this altercation, Mr. Brimhalls wife leaves with one of witness 3 and the victim, while–witness 2 leaves in her own vehicle. Mr. Brimhalls wife, witness 3, witness 2, and the victim then proceeded to another residence.
After staying for a while, the children became hungry and left. When returning, Mr. Brimhalls wife reviewed cameras within her residence to see if she sees anything. After reviewing the cameras for several minutes, Mr. Brimhalls wife didn’t see anything and it was decided to return to their residence.
Witness 2 arrives first and observed Mr. Brimhall outside, still in his underwear. Witness 2 stated that Mr. Brimhall started to approach her vehicle and due to this, Witness 2 leaves again. Witness 2 then proceeds to call and informs her, not to come home.
Witness 2 is advised that they needed to get Mr. Brimhall back inside of the house. When witness 2 leaves she observes a vehicle driving towards the residence and follows her back home. When Mr. Brim halls wife returns she observed Mr. Brimhall still outside.
Mr. Brimhall then proceeds to jump onto his wife’s vehicle, breaking
the front windshield. This scares witness 1 (front passenger), and victim exits the vehicle yelling at the Victim then proceeds to throw a drink at Mr. Brimhall, resulting in a physical altercation.
the Victim stated that Mr. Brimhall then grabs her by the arms and pushes her into the yard. Mr. Brimhall then places his right arm on the victims arm and his left hand around the victim’s neck, choking her. When being choked, the victim stated she could barely breathe and at one point could not breathe at all. When this is occurring, both Mr. Brimhall and the victim fall to the ground, with Mr. Brimhall on top of the victim. Mr. Brim halls wife then tells Mr. Brimhall to get off of the victim and go inside, which he does.
During the course of this investigation multiple parties stated that Mr. Brimhall was intoxicated and one witness stated that he was “drunk, drunk.” but when asking Mr. Brimhall about his intoxication, officers were advised “I don’t know, too much or not too much, I couldn’t tell you”.
During Mr. Brim halls interview he also confirms a physical altercation but never stated that he choked the victim. Mr. Brimhall also stated that he attempted to give the victim a “Noogie” during this incident.
The victim received multiple scrapes and had bruising to her wrists and arms, officers taking the report, reported redness to the victim’s neck.
During the victims interview she made statements about seeing Mr.Brimhall drunk before but never feared him. like she was during this event. Due to the statements made and the injuries sustained by the victim. This arrest is based off a warrant signed by Judge Edwards on 5/20/2024.
Summary of Incident
On May 4th, 2024, Jonesboro officers responded to a domestic incident on Prestwick Circle following a report of an altercation the previous day. Douglas Brimhall returned home from the Jonesboro Country Club intoxicated and entered a room with his wife, later emerging in only his underwear. He then entered another room where the victim was sleeping, leading to a confrontation when he attempted to wake her, pouring water on her and verbally abusing her. The situation escalated when Brimhall broke a vehicle windshield and physically assaulted the victim, choking her until intervention from witnesses prompted him to retreat inside. Brimhall was arrested later based on witness statements and evidence of the victim’s injuries.
Following the incident Mr. Brimhall was arrested for aggravated assault on a family or household member, a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in prison, and third degree domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison.
Brimhall also faces a potentially favorable criminal justice system which could plea down these charges to a lesser charge.
Brimhall was released 16 minutes after being booked, according to online records, on his own recognizance.
The attorney representing Doug Brimhall released a statement to the media on the matter.
“Since the onset, Mr. Brimhall and his family have fully cooperated with the authorities in this investigation. It is important to point out that the probable cause affidavit is the police’s version of the events. At this stage, the probable cause affidavit cannot be procedurally challenged even if we believe it to contain inaccuracies. Suffice it to say that Mr. Brimhall would never harm his own children, or anyone for that matter. We look forward to a swift and impartial resolution of this matter once the truth is revealed.”
– Bill Stanley, Attorney for Doug Brimhall
Twelve judges recused themselves from the case, this comes as a court hearing is set for Friday, June 28th at 8:30 a. m.
