Dothan City Commissioner Found Guilty of Assault

Courtesy: City of Dothan

DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) – A judge has convicted a Dothan city commissioner of assaulting a television news reporter.

Multiple media outlets report commissioner Amos Newsome was convicted Monday and his 10-day jail sentence has been suspended. Newsome is ordered to serve 12 months on probation, pay a $500 fine and court costs.

Newsome struck a reporter after an October commission meeting. The commissioner tried evading the reporter and eventually swatted at the man, which left a cut on the reporter’s face.

Newsome’s attorney, Henry Penick, tells the Dothan Eagle he plans to appeal the judgment in Houston County Circuit Court where it can be heard by a jury.

The reporter was trying to ask the commissioner about one of his campaign staffers being convicted of voter fraud. Newsome said he felt threatened.

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