Update: Community activist and Coliseum Authority member arrested

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By Ashley Campbell acampbell@nbcaugusta.com

Story Published: Jun 27, 2008 at 10:59 AM EST

Story Updated: Jun 27, 2008 at 7:56 PM EST

A judge issued simple battery warrants Friday morning for a community activist and a member of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority.

Both activist Woody Merry and board member William Fennoy were arrested and put in jail.

Both men bonded out of jail Friday afternoon.

Merry and Fennoy got into an argument in May before a coliseum authority meeting started.

Merry said Fennoy pushed and kicked him after he asked Fennoy why he failed to attend a board meeting earlier that week. Witnesses said Merry was knocked to the ground.

Judge Scott Allen called the case an embarrassment to the city and said it was a shame that two middle-aged men would act in such a childish manner.

He wasn't the only who felt that way.

Coliseum Authority member Harry Moore was called to be a witness for both men. He helped break up the fight. Moore said the judge made the right call.

"Woody was willing to drop everything, Fennoy was not willing to drop anything, so this is what happens. They should've shook hands like grown men. It should've never taken place to start with. They should have shook hands and let bygones be bygones."

But in this case, making up is hard to do.

Chris Hudson is Merry’s attorney.

"We are prepared to go in front of a jury...again I'm confident Merry will be acquitted," said Hudson.

Evita Paschall represents Fennoy.

"The next step would be to make a determination where we would go from here and I have not made this decision at this point,” she said.

NBC Augusta tried to speak to Merry and Fennoy after they were released from jail Friday. Both said they had no comment.

Both will be back in court July 11.

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Friday, Jun 27 at 1:10 PM Tony wrote ...

Wait do not charge William Fennoy Bond. I may have to pay for it along with his lawyer. Instead of 3,000.00 Ill have to pay 8,000.00

4756949 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Jun 27 at 11:07 AM Terry wrote ...

and then kicked when he was down. Who was the judge?

4753057 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

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