STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Statesville council member has taken out warrants against a fellow council member after a fight turned physical, according to an attorney.
Statesville City Council met in a closed session Thursday night in an upstairs conference room. Tensions between Councilmen Jarrod Phifer and Roy West reached a boiling point. Phifer's attorney, Todd Hollis, said it turned physical.
"An altercation did take place, in which my client was victimized. My client did sustain injury,” Hollis said.
Hollis sent a picture to Channel 9 showing what he said is an X-ray of Phifer's broken knee from the alleged scuffle.
Phifer went to the magistrate's office on Tuesday to take out warrants for simple assault and communicating threats. A hearing is set for July 24 on the charges.
Council members met Thursday night to discuss a number of issues. Phifer and West have been going back and forth over where a new splash pad for children should be located in the city.
(Jarrod Phifer)
Phifer's attorney couldn't say what the two men were talking about before the alleged fight.
"Whatever they were talking about did not justify physical or assault in behavior,” Hollis said.
When Channel 9 reached out to West, he said in a voice message that there was a heated argument but said other council members stepped in before it turned physical.
(Roy West)
West said, "I never laid a hand on him, nor him on me."
West said Phifer's accusation surprised him.
"I think it's hilarious that a 20-year-old man would take out a warrant on a 69-year-old man for assault. I haven't assaulted anybody since I was in high school,” West said.
So far, Phifer's attorney said he wants to come to an agreement with West before pressing any charges.
Channel 9 asked what Phifer and Hollis wants from West, but Hollis explained it was something the men would like to discuss with West privately.
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