Harmon released from charges of aggravated and simple assault
Charges were dropped this week against an elderly Westwood man who held lawmen on a four-hour armed standoff this January.
The defendant, Les Harmon, 77, was released from charges of aggravated and simple assault as a result of his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. He has been at Moccasin Bend under evaluation since shortly after his arrest.
According to District Attorney General Dale Potter, the charges were dropped with the understanding Harmon will be placed in the care of a facility which cares for persons suffering from the debilitating disease. Had he been convicted, Harmon could have faced up to six years in prison for the standoff.
The incident happened this January when lawmen arrived at his residence on Morrison Street to serve a warrant charging he had made harassing phone calls. Deputies said Harmon brandished a weapon inside his residence when they announced they were there to serve a warrant.
A hostage negotiator was called in to speak with the armed suspect in hopes of peacefully resolving the standoff. Harmon, who lawmen said was drinking, hung up on the negotiator at one point, saying he was going to watch Jay Leno on TV.
The crisis was resolved four hours after it began when the negotiator convinced Harmon to throw out his weapon.
Members of the SWAT team then stormed the house and took Harmon into custody without a shot being fired.