By Associated Press
Camden AL – Wilcox County's recreation director has been charged with assault following an altercation at the courthouse with a Wilcox County commissioner, but he said he wasn't the one who started the fight.
Eli Mack turned himself in Wednesday and was released on $15,000 bond after learning a warrant for his arrest had been issued stemming from a confrontation Tuesday at the courthouse with Commissioner Reginald Southall.
Mack told reporters he wasn't allowed to sign a warrant on Southall, who he said started the fight. The Mack case goes before District Judge Jo Celeste Pettway on Nov. 2.
The Selma-Times Journal reported that Mack said the fight ensued when he asked Southall if the 50 percent cut in the county's recreation budget was personal. Commissioners have said budget cuts were coming to nearly all departments due to revenue shortfalls.
"He initiated it, and I've got the right to defend myself," Mack said.
An attempt to reach Southall for comment was not immediately successful Thursday.
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Information from: Times Journal, http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/