Hickman County PVA Charged with Assault

Hickman County Property Valuation Administrator Amanda Ballentine is facing assault charges stemming from an alleged incident at her Clinton home on Friday evening.

In a criminal complaint filed Monday in Hickman County District Court, Tracey Clark Ballantine says that at 9:30 Friday evening Amanda attacked her, grabbed her hair, struck her repeatedly, pulled her to the ground and choked her, causing physical injury. Amanda was later charged with fourth degree assault.

Tracey said she went to the home Friday evening to check on her sick daughter, but did not go inside. Some time later she says Amanda arrived at the house and immediately began assaulting her.

Amanda's attorney, Bryan Wilson told West Kentucky Star that his client was trying to defend herself during the incident in question.

"This was purely a domestic issue between Mrs Ballantine and her husband's ex-wife that took place when Mrs Ballantine was attempting to defend herself at her home." Wilson said. Wilson says Amanda's husband has filed for emergency protection against his ex-wife. 

Tracey says she has not been notified of any emergency protective orders against her. She called Amanda's claims of self defense "absurd", saying that she was the one who was attacked.

"The fact that she says she was defending herself is absolutely ridiculous. I can't stress that enough," Tracey said. "I have cuts and bruises, knots on my head where I was thrown onto the concrete, welts and redness around my throat where she held me down to choke me."

Carlisle County Attorney Mike Hogancamp has been named as a special prosecutor in the case due to what officials are calling a conflict of interest. "I have had a referral from the Hickman County Attorney's Office requesting me to be a special prosecutor." Hogancamp said.

Ballantine's arraignment has been set for Tuesday at 3:00 pm before Special District Judge Keith Myers.