Man accused of running over Mexico officer found guilty of fourth-degree assault

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexico, Missouri, man who was accused of running over a Mexico Public Safety officer in 2022 received a verdict Tuesday.

Demarko Walls, 31, was found guilty of fourth-degree assault and not guilty of armed-criminal action on Tuesday at the Audrain County Courthouse. A sentencing hearing is set for 1:15 p.m. Monday, June 5.

Walls was initially charged with first-degree assault, armed-criminal action and resisting arrest.

A lawyer representing Walls told ABC 17 News that the state went to trial with the first-degree assault and armed-criminal action charges.

“Mr. Walls never meant to hurt anyone, much less cause serious physical injury to an officer. He respects the jury's verdict that he was reckless for not maintaining control of his car,” attorney Jessica Caldera said.

Walls was accused of running over an officer and hitting a parked car while backing up his vehicle at a Casey’s in Mexico in July 2022.