Corrected and updated version
By JEANIE RIESS
Staff Writer
A pair of men working on the defense of Dr. Arnold Smith have accused Itta Bena Fire Chief Vonzell Self of assault in an Oct. 12 confrontation.
Self, who is also a Leflore County constable, has filed a countercharge against one of the men, Jelani Barr of Greenwood, over the incident.
Barr and William Acosta, an out-of-town investigator, were trying to serve Self a subpoena on Oct. 12 requesting the investigative report concerning a fire that burned down Abraham Court in Itta Bena on Aug. 10. The building was owned by Greenwood attorney Lee Abraham.
Smith, a Greenwood oncologist, has had a longtime animosity toward Abraham. He has been charged with participating in two alleged conspiracies to kill the attorney and is also charged with capital murder in an April 28 shootout at Abraham’s law office in downtown Greenwood that killed another alleged co-conspirator.
According to the complaint Acosta and Barr filed with the Greenwood Police Department, Acosta approached Self’s home at 707 Linden Ave. in Greenwood to issue the subpoena, at which point Self told him that he was on private property and needed to leave.
Acosta turned to leave and left the subpoena next to Self’s driveway. Before getting into the car that Barr was driving, Acosta said, “Here is your subpoena.”
Barr attempted to drive away, according to the report, but Self stopped them and would not let them leave.
Leflore County Sheriff’s Deputy Edward Cates, who was at Self’s house at the time of the incident, kicked the subpoena into the street, according to Acosta and Barr. They have also accused Cates of assault.
Barr claims, according to the police report, that Self opened the car door, struck Barr in the face and sprayed Mace at the two men. Acosta claims that the spray temporarily blinded him, and when the two men reached the Police Department to file their complaint, Acosta was treated for burns from the Mace.
Barr, a frequent critic of Greenwood police, said Tuesday that the police report was in error in a couple of places. For instance, he said, the men were prevented from leaving by Cates.
Self’s complaint alleges that it was Barr who attacked him. Self claims that after Acosta tried to serve him with the subpoena, Barr got out of the car “and pushed him and a fight ensued.” It's not clear from the police report to whom the "him" refers, but it appears to be Self whom Barr allegedly pushed, not Cates. Self said that when the fight was over, Barr returned to the car, rolled down the window and spat on Self before Self sprayed Barr with Mace as the two men drove away.
Self has accused Barr of assault on a law enforcement officer. According to the police report, Self had a knot to the left side of his head and scratches to his neck and around his face.
Barr denied Tuesday that he precipitated the altercation, saying it was Self who pulled him out of the vehicle.
No arrests have been made in the incident as of today. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Friday at the Greenwood Municipal Court because the case involves law enforcement officers.
Self swiftly hung up the phone Monday when asked to comment.
• Contact Jeanie Riess at 581-7235 or jriess@gwcommonwealth.com.
