Arrested Black Mountain alderman a no-show at meeting

A Black Mountain alderman charged with assault May 13 did not show up for an aldermen's board meeting May 14. 

Jeremie Konegni, taken into custody after Black Mountain police responded to a domestic incident at his residence, was to have made a first appearance in Buncombe County District Court May 14. His case was continued until June 27. 

Officers charged Konegni with assault on a female after arriving on the scene around 2:30 a.m. on May 13. 

Konegni, who moved to Black Mountain in 2016, received 791 votes last November to win a seat vacated by Carlos Showers, who decided not to seek re-election. Showers was later appointed to fill the alderman seat vacated by Don Collins, who chose (successfully) to run for mayor. 

The Black Mountain Police Department released a statement regarding his arrest about 9 a.m. May 14, stating in part, "officers determined an assault had taken place at the residence."

Following Konegni's absence from the May 14 aldermen's meeting, town manager Matt Settlemyer said May 15 he was "not aware" of any communication between Konegni and town staff and officials prior to the meeting. 

Konegni did not immediately return a call for comment by The Black Mountain News.