Columbia firefighter union head pleads not guilty to felony charge
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The head of the Columbia firefighters’ union waived his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to a felony charge, according to Tuesday court filings.
Zachary Privette is charged with third-degree assault of a special victim. He was arrested last month and had bonded out of jail. An entry of appearance was filed by his attorney on Tuesday. An initial court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14.
The probable cause statement says police were called around 9 p.m. March 23 to Truman’s Bar and Grill in western Columbia. The victim – who police had previously stated was considered elderly under Missouri law – went to pick up an order at the bar and noticed a group of people he used to work with at the Columbia Fire Department.
The victim walked up to the table and Privette allegedly started yelling at the victim because he was upset the victim no longer attended union meetings, the statement says. The victim left the table to pick up his order and left the building, but Privette allegedly saw him in the parking lot and started yelling while walking up to him, the statement says.
Privette then assaulted the victim by putting him in a headlock and eventually pushed the victim to the ground, the statement says. Privette then allegedly kicked the victim while the victim was on the ground, the statement says. Privette then allegedly went to the ground and started punching the victim, court documents allege.
A witness saw the end of the assault when both men were on the ground, the statement says. That person told police they saw Privette get up and go back into the restaurant after someone in a vehicle flashed their lights, the statement says.
Police reviewed video footage that allegedly lined up with the victim’s story, the statement says.