MAN GETS WEEKENDS IN JAIL FOR JUNE MELEE

JACKSON -- Tracy "Big Silly" Selvy will spend weekends in jail starting Friday as punishment for his role in a confrontation with police last June, said Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor Morley Swingle.

Selvy will spend 15 consecutive weekends in jail, from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Sunday, after he pled guilty to interfering with an arrest, a class B misdemeanor.

Selvy had been involved in the June 11 confrontation with police in the 300 block of Good Hope Street. He had grabbed the arm of a police officer while police tried to handcuff Kenneth Campbell, Swingle said.

Initially, Campbell had run up to assist his brother, Greg Campbell, who was shouting at police, Swingle said. Police testified both Campbells had stomped on a police officer after he fell in the street.

As police attempted to arrest Kenneth Campbell, a crowd of 150 began throwing handfuls of gravel and pieces of bricks and concrete blocks, police had testified.

A police officer said he asked Selvy to intervene with the crowd, but Selvy just tugged at the officer and tried to get the officer not to arrest Kenneth Campbell.

Selvy had been charged with the felony of assaulting a police officer and rioting, a misdemeanor. He could have served five to 15 years in prison had he been convicted of assault.

The prosecutor's witness had changed her mind during an interview, Swingle said. She said she had confused Selvy with someone else.