Husband of councilwoman assaults handicapped man, police say

CONOVER, NC (WBTV) - The husband of a Conover city councilwoman was charged with assaulting a handicapped person last week.

Police say the incident occurred during the council's regular meeting on Monday night.

Kenneth Rowe Herman, 71, hit 58-year-old Coy Lee Hester in the back of the head with his hand, according to Police Chief Steve Brewer.

Herman is the husband of councilwoman Jan Herman who denies the assault happened.

Brewer said statements were taken from five witnesses who saw it happen.

Hester suffers from a blood disorder and fibromyalgia, according to police.

Police say the two men had been at odds for nearly a month after a disagreement over actions taken by City Council in January.

Herman turned himself in to police on Friday night and was charged with assault on a handicapped person, according to police.

He was released on a $1,000 bond and has a court date set for March 14.