A Lowndes County Justice Court judge is expected to sign off sometime today on Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem dropping simple assault charges against each other, according to a justice court official.
The charges stem from an April 1 confrontation between Smith and Karriem.
Karriem reportedly confronted Smith at Smith”s office around 9:30 p.m. that Thursday about the city”s plans to use a $2 million grant to restore the historic old Highway 82 bridge across the Tombigbee River into a pedestrian parkway.
The city and county are jointly responsible for a $400,000 grant match.
Karriem wanted to discuss the city”s $200,000 obligation and requested the item be added to the agenda for the City Council”s next meeting.
The confrontation became physical, and the next day Karriem filed a simple assault affidavit against Smith.
The mayor turned himself in to the Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office the same afternoon and was released on bond.
The following Monday, Smith filed a simple assault charge affidavit against Karriem.
On Thursday, both Smith and Karriem signed a joint statement forgiving each other for the fight, and they pledged to drop simple assault charges against each other.
Both have signed the order dropping charges against each other.
The document now awaits final confirmation from a Lowndes County Justice Court judge.
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