The case against an Alabama man accused last year of aggravated assault in an incident at a private marina in Lookout Valley has been dismissed after new evidence came to light.
Michael James Reed was arrested after Chattanooga police were called to the 600 block of Browns Ferry Road at around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, 2019. He was accused of firing shots in the air and assaulting another man.
The man told police he and Reed had been drinking and got into an argument.
At the time, police found enough evidence to charge Reed with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and possession of a handgun while under the influence.
And after a preliminary hearing, the case was bound over to a grand jury, where it's been pending ever since.
Video footage from the marina later obtained by Reed's attorney, Lee Davis, "clearly shows the alleged victim to be the initial aggressor in this confrontation," Davis said.
Prosecutors hadn't seen the video before the case had been sent to the grand jury, Davis said.
"We provided that information to the prosecution and the case was dismissed," he said. "A proper outcome."
Contact Rosana Hughes at rhughes@timesfreepress.com or follow her on Twitter @Hughes Rosana.