CLAY MAN WHO ATTACKED TV REPORTER AARON PLEADS NO CONTEST

(05/02/2015)

A Clay County man, Howard Jeffery Lilly, of Bomont, accused of attacking veteran television reporter Bob Aaron with his camera tripod last year, has pleaded no contest to a felony destruction of property charge. Lilly entered the plea in Clay Circuit Court as part of an agreement with prosecutors. The plea, which does not admit guilt, in exchange for prosecutors dropping additional felony offenses of robbery and grand larceny. Lilly allegedly took some of Aaron's equipment following the incident. Aaron went to Bomont in July 2014 to investigate reports of animal cruelty to several horses and donkeys. While filming from public right-of-way, Lilly allegedly took Aaron's camera tripod and attacked the television reporter with it. Aaron was injured and the lens of his camera was smashed. Lilly agreed to pay $2,800 to WCHS-TV for damage to the camera and more than $2,000 in medical expenses for Aaron. Lilly faces up to 10 years in prison and up to $2,500 in fines. But prosecutors will recommend he receive probation if he stays out of trouble, according to the plea agreement. Sentencing is June 15. Aaron has also filed a civil lawsuit against Lilly related to considerable injuries he sustained.

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