A Joplin man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Jasper County Circuit Court on a felony assault charge for allegedly attacking three people in January with the metal grate of a barbecue grill.
James E. Hibdon, 36, 11319 Route FF, was ordered bound over for trial by Associate Judge Richard Copeland on a charge of second-degree assault. The judge set March 29 for the defendant’s initial appearance in a trial division of the court.
Police and court records state that Hibdon allegedly became upset with a group of people Jan. 8 at a Joplin home, and punched Bobby J. Bentel, 37, in the face. Hibdon then allegedly went outside, picked up the grate of a barbecue grill, returned inside the house, and struck the heads of Bentel and Donnis D. Helton, 33, with the grate. He also allegedly hit Bentel’s wife, Kristie Bentel, 33, in the back with the grate.
