City and State Digest
The Sentinel-Record 8-3-1979

The Hot Springs Civil Service Commission will hear a protest from recently reinstated police officer Thurman Abernathy on Aug. 10.

Commission Chairman Joe Poe said the date was set during the commission’s Wednesday evening meeting.

Abernathy, a police lieutenant, was demoted to the rank of sergeant after the commission reinstated him last month. He was also reassigned from narcotics to the records and microfilm department.

He had been suspended without pay from the force two years ago after he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a female Garland County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Abernathy’s attorney later obtained a state Supreme Court ruling to suppress much of a key prosecution witness’ testimony.

The case was then turned over to a Hot Spring Grand Jury which decided there was not sufficient evidence to indict Abernathy on the murder charge.