On Thursday, May 27th, after several months’ delay due to a backlog in the courts due to COVID, Jared Benjamin Lafer, of Bakersville, was in court for an incident that happened in September of 2019. Lafer has been accused of a hit-and-run during a Black Lives Matter protest in Johnson City, TN. Lafer is alleged to have hit Jonathan Bowers with his vehicle causing multiple injuries including a broken ankle. During the court proceeding Bowers said Lafer could have gone in a different direction instead of hitting him. Lafer was in the area having dinner with relatives when he drove up upon a group of protestors. Lafer apparently hit Bowers with his SUV when he turned right toward the highway. Bowers said Lafer kept going and the vehicle “sucked” him under the tires. Bowers said he was at the protest to walk his dog and take photographs. Lafer’s attorney indicated that Bowers’ comments on his involvement with the protest had not been consistent. At the courthouse eyewitness Hannah Reid and another witness Elijah Gilmer, who had not yet testified, left the building together and were talking, according to a Washington County sheriff’s deputy. This was in violation of an oath for witnesses not to discuss the case. The judge gave them a chance to speak about the violation and they declined. Lafer’s attorney contends that Lafer feared for his safety and the safety of his family which included three children under the age of six that were in his vehicle. The judge reduced Lafer’s charges from aggravated assault to reckless aggravated assault after hearing Bowers’ testimony. The case will move on to a grand jury. Lafter is free on bond.
