Shelby County Commissioner Justin Ford pleaded to one count of misdemeanor domestic assault Tuesday and was sentenced to a year of probation.

After entering an Alford plea to the charge, Ford issued an apology outside the courtroom.

"I truly am sorry for anything or any negative light that I brought to the constituency," he said.

An Alford plea allows a defendant to state that he is not guilty, while pleading to an agreed settlement in his best interest.

Special Judge Terry Lafferty sentenced Ford to 11 months 29 days probation. Ford will receive a day credit for jail time after he was arrested. He will also be required to go to anger management courses.

The case stems from an April 23 incident in which authorities said Ford was a passenger and his girlfriend of two years was the driver of a Mercedes when Ford "became belligerent" and hit her on the side of her face.

Authorities said she pulled into a parking lot at Church's Chicken, 925 Poplar Avenue, and tried several times to get out of the vehicle. Ford is accused of pulling her back into the car, punching her, pulling her hair and choking her, according to court records.

"Ford continued to assault (her) inside her vehicle until police arrived," according to an affidavit. "She was treated by (Memphis Fire Department) on the scene."

The affidavit says the information is based on a witness statement.

Ford was charged with aggravated assault/domestic violence and false imprisonment. He was released on $15,000 bond and ordered to wear an ankle monitor.

"The woman that I'm accused of assaulting, I love with all my heart," Ford said. "She was a best friend then and still is a best friend now."

Ford had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday and the woman in the case was subpoenaed to come to court. Tuesday's court date began with the woman's attorney, Dewun Settle, discussing a motion to quash the subpoena for her to appear.

"We didn't think that she should have to appear pursuant to a subpoena," Settle said.

Regarding Ford's sentence, Settle said she had been consulted and she is "satisfied with the outcome."

Ford's plea could have implications for his seat on the County Commission.

Shelby County Attorney Kathryn Pascover, District Attorney Amy Weirich or the state attorney general can initiate an "ouster" lawsuit to remove Ford from office based on a provision in state law that forbids legal violations involving "moral turpitude." State law is silent about whether domestic violence or simple assault qualify as moral turpitude.

If a judge finds Ford guilty of an act which violates a criminal statute involving moral turpitude, he would be removed from office and the County Commission could appoint someone to serve in his place until the next election.

Pascover wasn't immediately reachable for comment and Weirich said she hasn't given any thought yet to whether she'll pursue an ouster lawsuit.

Shelby County Commission Chairman Melvin Burgess said the commission is aware of Ford's plea agreement.

"Neither state law nor the county's charter provide a means by which the County Commission may unilaterally remove one of its own members from office," Burgess said. "Consequently, any decision re: Commissioner Ford's future must be determined through the legal process, the voters or Commissioner Ford."

Commercial Appeal Reporter Ryan Poe contributed to this story.



