PEA RIDGE — Pea Ridge city councilman John Cody will be represented by a public defender on charges of driving on a suspended driver’s license.

When Cody appeared for arraignment in the Pea Ridge division of Benton County District Court on May 11 he declared he was indigent and requested representation by a public defender.

Judge John Skaggs appointed a public defender to represent Cody.

Trial was set for July 27.

Cody, candidate for District 7 Justice of the Peace, was employed by the city of Garfield as water and street superintendent until April 23 when his employment was terminated during a special Garfield City Council meeting.

Cody was arrested March 16 for DWI, then again, April 20, for driving on a suspended driver’slicense, suspended for the DWI.

Both arrests were in connection with Cody driving a Garfield city truck to Pea Ridge City Council meetings.

Attorney Joshua Meister of the Meister, McCracken Law Firm in Garfield, filed a not guilty plea for Cody on the DWI charge. He was given a trial date of May 25. Joanne McCracken is the city attorney for the town of Garfield. Cody is no longer represented by that law firm.

News, Pages 1 on 05/19/2010