Vestavia Hills police today announced formal charges against a 71-year-old man accused of attacking Talladega Mayor Larry Barton with a baseball bat Saturday morning. Green will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail, pending a $150,000 bond requirement.
Advertisement
Barton said that Green, who once shared a mic with him on the talk show “In the Interest of the People“, immediately jerked open the door of Barton’s Cadillac and started swinging what appeared to be a sawed-off baseball bat at his head. A hospital receptionist said Monday that he was still there but that details on his condition were being released only to his family.
Green and his wife are in the process of a divorce, and his former lawyer, Steward Springer, said the beating was over a sex tape.
While Barton spoke to WVTM 13 via telephone Sunday night, he didn’t return telephone calls Monday.
Vestavia Police Department’s Lt. Brian Gilham said the two knew each other, and the suspect was waiting for the victim to arrive at his part-time job Saturday morning when he attacked.
Here’s an interesting story from Al.com about Larry Barton, 74, and Benny Green, 71.
Barton was elected mayor of Talladega in 2011 after serving time in federal prison in the ’90s.
He is again on the ballot for elections to be held later this month, Talladega City Clerk Beth Cheeks said in an email.
Green’s attorney declined comment. Springer, meanwhile, said he plans to launch a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay Green’s defense costs.
Advertisement
“I kicked him hard”, said Barton. “And if he did it, I want him to be defended and I don’t want him to get in any trouble”.
