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July 29, 2009

Three plead no contest to assault in 2007 beating

Max’s Garage owner, employees guilty of misdemeanor; kidnapping, other charges dropped

By Donna Hales

Three Muskogee men pleaded no contest Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in the July 2007 beating of Edwin J. Hesslen.

Other charges against Alex Reynolds, 43; Troy J. Dexter, 41; and Walter Puckett III, 28, were dismissed at Hesslen’s request.

The case was not prosecutable because of the lack of credibility of the victim, said Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Moore.

Hesslen told the judge he wanted the original felony charge of assault and battery with a deadly weapon against the three lowered to a misdemeanor, Moore said. Hesslen also wanted other pending charges against the three dismissed and did not want to testify, Moore said.

The defendants each received a 90-day suspended sentence. Each was ordered to pay one-third of $16,000 restitution at $50 per month.

Reynolds is part owner of Max’s Garage, a bar and restaurant on North Main Street. Puckett and Dexter were employees. Hesslen was a former employee.

At the time of the incident, Reynolds told police he and Puckett were attempting a citizen’s arrest.

Hesslen was a suspect in a burglary of Max’s Garage in which money was taken and the electric meter was vandalized, police said at the time.

The men were charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping. Puckett and Reynolds also were charged with robbery by force or fear.

Reynolds also was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and obstruction of a police officer. Dexter also was charged with pointing a firearm.

The men were accused of beating Hesslen in the head with a hammer and kidnapping him. Hesslen was hospitalized at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa with a head injury.



Reach Donna Hales at 918-684-2923 or Click Here to Send Email

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