Dallas Council Member Atkins Found Guilty of Assault, Fined $100

Surely, Raquel Hultquist knows now who Tennell Atkins is, but that's not really the point.

What was an issue Thursday, at Atkins' long-awaited trial for his December alleged assault on Hultquist, was whether she knew who he was then. Hultquist, a 911 operator conscripted into temporary security duty at one of Dallas City Hall's entrances, said she didn't. She said Atkins became angry when she wouldn't let him into the building without a badge.

Just after the incident, she told police Atkins jerked on City Hall's doors, screaming "Open the door!." Eventually, he was let in remotely. Once inside, Hultquist said he shook her by the shoulders.

"Do you know who I am?" she says Atkins shouted in her face. "Why didn't you open the door?"

Thursday, according to tweets from the courtroom from The Dallas Morning News,' Atkins admitted that he'd raised his voice, but denied touching Hultquist. He couldn't have because, among other reasons, he held the briefcase that Atkins says he was carrying in city of Dallas video from just after the incident. Hultquist said Thursday that she didn't notice what Atkins was carrying, but that she felt something in his hands when he grabbed her. Krystal McCloney, a trainee working with Hultquist, said Atkins put his briefcase down before grabbing Hultquist. He had papers in his hands, she said.

Atkins, who apologized after the incident became public but never admitted touching Hultquist, was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and fined $100. He intends to appeal. The trial came the day after Atkins' last City Council meeting. The term-limited District 8 rep is being replaced by Erik Wilson. Here's a photo of Wilson. You know, just in case.