LR official facing battery count resigns

A week after he was arrested and charged with the domestic battery of his live-in girlfriend, a Little Rock administrator resigned from his position with the city.

On Wednesday, City Manager Bruce Moore said the city’s intergovernmental-relations manager, Odies Wilson III, offered his resignation last Friday after sitting down with Moore to go over an internal review prompted by Wilson’s Oct. 17 arrest at his home.

Wilson, 64, has worked for Little Rock since 1998 and handled the city’s legislative affairs. He also worked on several initiatives and sat on several boards.

Before working for Little Rock, Wilson worked as an aide for former Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker.

Moore said that he accepted Wilson’s resignation after their meeting and said he thanked Wilson for his service to the city. He noted that Wilson will not be eligible to enroll in the city’s new retirement plan but said that after so many years of service, he has several retirement options he can work out with the city’s Human Resources Department.

Wilson was intoxicated and only cooperated with officers once they threatened to pepper-spray him during his arrest at his 904 S. Oak St. home, police said.

According to police, several witnesses saw Wilson beat on his girlfriend, 28-year-old Christean Bell, while the two rode in his car in the 3400 block of Maryland Street early in the evening.

A witness intervened and ordered Wilson to let her out of the car and he drove off, reports said.

After meeting with police, Bell took police back to their home, and Wilson was arrested.

According to court officials, Wilson is set to go to trial for the misdemeanor battery charge on Jan. 8.

Arkansas, Pages 10 on 10/31/2013

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