A confrontation in the Walmart parking lot in New Boston, Texas, sent a 60-year-old man to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon, and police and the other man's attorney are now telling two very different versions of what happened. Officers were dispatched to what was initially called a vehicle-pedestrian accident, but the case has since grown into a dispute over whether a truck ever struck anyone at all.
What Police Say Happened
According to ktalnews.com, officers were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian in the Walmart parking lot on September 16. Police say a physical confrontation occurred between Texarkana lawyer Shorty Barrett and Curtis Jackson, a 60-year-old New Boston man, and that the vehicle involved was registered to Barrett, though it was not yet known who was driving. Per the station's account, Barrett struck Jackson, who was knocked unconscious, before Barrett dragged him away from the vehicle, left him lying in the parking lot, and drove off.
A New Boston Police Department press release, reported by Kicker 102.5, states that Jackson was not hit by Barrett's vehicle; instead, Barrett allegedly hit the vehicle with Jackson. That same release says the confrontation was caught on Walmart CCTV parking lot cameras and eyewitnesses. The station's report also notes that the incident was initially reported simply as a vehicle-pedestrian incident in the parking lot before more details emerged.
Attorney Pushes Back on Vehicle Claim
Barrett's attorney disputes the account that a vehicle was involved in striking Jackson. Speaking to ktalnews.com, the attorney said, “my client did not strike anyone with his vehicle,” and instead described the incident as a mutual physical altercation. “This was a face-to-face, mutual physical altercation between two adults,” the attorney told the outlet.
A separate report from txktoday.com adds that it is not yet known who was driving the vehicle involved, and that no charges had been announced. That outlet reported that Barrett's attorney, identified as Joshua L. Potter, said his firm represents Barrett and disputed reports that anyone was hit by a vehicle.
Jackson's Injuries and Hospital Transport
Jackson was transported to St. Michael Hospital for injuries described by ktalnews.com as non-life-threatening. No further details on his condition or recovery have been released.
Barrett's Legal Standing
Ktalnews.com reported that Barrett is registered as a criminal attorney with the State Bar of Texas and in the state of Arkansas. However, txktoday.com separately reported that Barrett is currently ineligible to practice law in Texas for administrative reasons, according to the State Bar of Texas website.
Investigation Ongoing
New Boston police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Investigator Rusty Hill at 903-628-3771, according to the police release reported by Kicker 102.5. With conflicting accounts still unresolved over who was driving and whether a vehicle struck Jackson, the investigation remains open and the story developing.
