County judge scheduled for trial in January

David Writer

Carroll County Judge David Writer is scheduled to stand trial beginning Jan. 28, 2027, on a misdemeanor harassment charge stemming from an incident earlier this year in which Writer allegedly threatened to kill a Eureka Springs man.

Carroll County Circuit Judge Scott Jackson scheduled a trial date for Writer during a brief hearing Monday, Sept. 21, in the county’s Eastern District Courthouse in Berryville.

S p e c i a l Prosecuting Attorney Jason Barrett, who was appointed to the case after Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Tony Rogers’ recusal, filed the harassment charge against Writer in June.

The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in the county jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

The charge stems from a confrontation between Writer and Eureka Springs resident Eric Scheunemann after a Jan. 20 meeting of the Carroll County Quorum Court in Berryville.

During the meeting, Scheunemann attempted to speak during public comments about what he described as the county’s “abandonment of Spring Valley Road.” Writer interrupted Scheunemann approximately 30 seconds into his comments and advised him that road-maintenance issues do not fall under the purview of the county’s 11 justices of the peace. After the two exchanged words, Writer did not allow Scheunemann to continue speaking.

After the meeting, Writer approached Scheunemann as he sat on a courtroom bench speaking with a reporter from a Harrison newspaper.

A video recording reviewed by the Carroll County News shows Writer stepping toward Scheunemann before quickly backing away as Scheunemann raises his right arm and points in Writer’s direction. The interaction lasts approximately 35 to 40 seconds.

Scheunemann later issued a written statement alleging that Writer stepped close to him and said, “I’ll kill you. You son of a b****.”

Writer issued a public apology Feb. 3, saying he wanted to apologize to Scheunemann and the people of Carroll County.

“Between roads, wind turbines and other issues, conversations can become heated and accusatory,” Writer said in the statement. “I sincerely apologize that the conversation got out of hand and look forward to continuing to serve the good people of Carroll County, as we all strive to make it an even better place to call home.”

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed in June, Berryville Police Lt. Daniel Crawford investigated Scheunemann’s allegations and interviewed the Harrison reporter who witnessed the confrontation.

The affidavit says Crawford spoke with Writer by telephone Jan. 28. Writer told Crawford that he had retained an attorney and said: “I’m bad about getting ahead of myself and saying something that doesn’t do me justice. That’s what this is about to begin with.”

Writer was formally charged June 12, nearly five months after the confrontation with Scheunemann.

Writer is seeking re-election as county judge. He defeated Dianna Baird in the Republican Party primary earlier this year. He is opposed in the Nov. 3 general election by Democrat Jim Wallace.