Alabama City Commissioner Ames Newsome is facing assault charges after he attacked a reporter while cameras were rolling. Newsome was approached by reporter Ken Curtis in the parking lot of the Dothan Civic Center on Tuesday morning, and asked whether or not he intended to resign.
Newsome has been under suspicion of voter fraud for several years, and Curtis was questioning him in regards to the scandal.
Newsome reacted violently, pushing his microphone away at first, grazing his face, but then later hit Curtis directly in the face.
By Tuesday afternoon, Newsome was charged with third-degree assault.
After news of the incident broke, WTVY made the following statement:
“WTVY is extremely disappointed and horrified by the actions of Dothan City Commissioner Amos Newsome for his unwarranted physical attack on one of our employees. We understand that holding political office can be stressful, but that never warrants unwanted physical contact, let alone an open, public assault. Our employee was attacked in the course of doing their job, which they are entitled to do without the fear of physical violence.”
“Freedom of the press is a guaranteed right, one that should allow us to do our jobs in a safe, non-threatening environment. WTVY intends to press charges against Commissioner Newsome, to ensure that no one else will be attacked in the course of doing their job. We’re grateful for the relationship that we continue to have with the Dothan City Commission and our elected officials.”
Curtis sustained minor injuries to his face and was actually cut by Newsome’s fingernails during the attack.
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John Vibes writes for True Activist and is an author, researcher and investigative journalist who takes a special interest in the counter culture and the drug war.
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