Mathews Supervisor Mike Walls, appearing before Judge Joshua DeFord in Mathews General District Court on Monday, was found not guilty of charges of abusive language and assault and battery against complainant Billy Cook, chairman of the Mathews County Planning Commission and former board of supervisors candidate.

A finding was withheld on a third charge against Walls of disorderly conduct. The judge ordered Walls to be on good behavior and to have no hostile contact with Cook for the next year. In addition, the judge ordered that probation determine whether an anger management course Walls completed was appropriate.

Final disposition on the case was set on the docket for next December. The judge said the case will be dismissed and Walls will not have to appear in court if the commonwealth sends a letter to the clerk to verify that Walls has complied with requirements.

Both men testified during the trial. While the basic facts were not in dispute, they presented different vers...