De Queen courthouse overrun by bats during session

DE QUEEN — Sevier County officials say there was disorder in the court when 30 bats flew into a courtroom while a number of defendants were on trial.

Circuit Judge Tom Cooper was conducting business Thursday when the bats arrived. A number of people screamed and ran out of the room. One bat tried to bite a deputy who had caught it and held it by the wings so people could take photos.

Cooper said the courthouse has hundreds of bats. The county's chief administrative officer, Greg Ray, said bats have been roosting in an elevator shaft.

The Texarkana Gazette reported Friday that the bats calmed down after the lights were turned off and court was moved elsewhere.

A pest control expert was asked to visit the courthouse Monday and propose solutions.

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