Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – An investigation into a fight that occurred in downtown Jonesboro earlier this month has resulted in the arrests of three people.
District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause on Oct. 17 to charge 21-year-old Tawonn Donshae Amerson, of Steele, MO, 21-year-old Mark Jones, and 19-year-old Mataiya Sky Phillips, each with first-degree battery. They were all arrested as a result of an investigation into a downtown Jonesboro fight that occurred Oct. 5.
According to an affidavit, when officers arrived, officers found two victims who appeared to have been beaten and needed urgent medical attention. While trying to manage the scene, officers found probable cause to arrest Amerson, along with five other suspects, for misdemeanor crimes related to disorderly conduct and interference with their duties, and not due to the victims’ injuries.
According to the affidavit, once the victims were evaluated at the hospital, it was determined that one of them had multiple brain bleeds and would be admitted to intensive care. The other victim had multiple broken bones, including four broken ribs and a wrist fracture, the affidavit said.
The investigation into the incident began. The affidavit said Jonesboro’s intersection cameras, along with several videos posted on social media of the incident, were used in identifying suspects. Multiple interviews with witnesses were also conducted.
Police said video footage showed Amerson, who was arrested Oct. 15, kicking both victims multiple times while they were on the ground.
“At one point, T. Amerson gets a running start to plant one foot and swing the other similar to [a] football-style kick to one victim’s head as he is on his stomach surrounded by multiple people who were also striking the victim,” the affidavit said.
Police added that another video showed Jones, also arrested Oct. 15, kicking a downed victim after being pushed down to the ground.
Another affidavit said that through video posted on social media and witness interviews, a bench warrant was obtained Oct. 16 for a woman who was thought to have participated in the fight.
In the video, it was assumed the woman had black hair, but upon her arrest, police found she actually had red hair, the affidavit said. When reviewing the footage, the woman pointed herself out, pulling Phillips, who was identified as her sister, away from the fighting.
The affidavit said she also gave a statement consistent with the witness interviews, saying that the fight started because someone called Phillips an expletive.
Amerson was given a $75,000 cash/surety bond, while Jones’ was $50,000 cash/surety, and Phillips’ was $20,000 cash/surety.
Fowler also ordered both Jones and Phillips to have no contact with the victims and Amerson wear a GPS ankle monitor upon release.
Amerson, Jones, and Phillips are all scheduled to be back in court on Dec. 16.
