Martinsville Mayor LC Jones returned to the dais Tuesday night for the first Martinsville City Council meeting since his recent reinstatement.
“It feels good” to be back, Jones said after the meeting. “I actually enjoyed the time” away from council, and spent time with his son, family, and dogs.
“I stayed away from council” and city business, Jones said. “Just a break in general is probably good for anybody.”
He is now invigorated, ready to focus on issues raised by residents, and the city’s upcoming budget.
“I had the opportunity to speak with the city manager” on Monday, Jones said. “It felt good just to get back in the swing of things.”
Jones was suspended from City Council on Feb. 23 by an order issued by then-Circuit Court Judge G. Carter Greer, who has since retired.
Circuit Court Judge Marcus Brinks reinstated Jones following an April 21 hearing. Special Prosecutor and Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison did not object to the reinstatement.
According to filings in the Martinsville Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Harrison later filed a motion to withdraw from the matter, and Colonial Heights Commonwealth’s Attorney Alfred Gray Collins III was appointed as substitute prosecutor.
In the April 27 motion, Harrison wrote that she requested permission to withdraw because of a “material conflict.”
“This request is made after consultation with the Virginia State Bar Legal Ethics Hotline, who advised my conflict required a mandatory withdrawal” from the civil recall petition and pending criminal investigation, Harrison wrote.
An order appointing Collins, or a designated assistant prosecutor from his office, was entered April 28. The order states the substitute prosecutor will be reimbursed for actual expenses, including mileage.
