A misdemeanor domestic violence charge against a Columbus councilman was dismissed on Tuesday in Lowndes County Justice Court after the alleged victim did not show up to testify.

Pierre Beard, who represents Ward 4, was charged in a Nov. 4 incident at a Byrnes Circle residence where his wife, Lasaundra Beard, told police the councilman had fired a gun in the air and pointed it at her during an argument. The argument started after Lasaundra raised suspicions about whether her husband was having an affair. Councilman Beard told officers the gun accidentally discharged during the argument. No one was injured.

The councilman turned himself in to authorities the next day and spent several hours in jail after first appearing in Municipal Court. The case was later transferred to Justice Court, due to the defendant having a vote in hiring and budgeting decisions related to Municipal Court.

On Tuesday, Justice Court Judge Ron Cooke dismissed the charge after establishing Lasaundra Beard was not there to testify. Councilman Beard’s attorney, Nicole Clinkscales, said she had also submitted a written statement from Lasaundra asking for the charge to be dropped.

As part of his ruling, Cooke assessed a $90 “dropped-charge” fee against Lasaundra Beard. Clinkscales told The Dispatch after the hearing that her client had agreed to pay the fee on his wife’s behalf.

Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.