Knoxville state Rep. Martin Daniel booked on assault charge
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Republican state Rep. Martin Daniel of Knoxville has been booked on an assault charge stemming from an altercation with a primary opponent during a candidate forum.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that Daniel was booked on the misdemeanor charge on Thursday.
Daniel, former Rep. Steve Hall and two other candidates were participating in the forum broadcast on WOKI-FM on July 21 when Hall and Daniel got into a heated exchange. Hall’s police report said Daniel shoved him in the chest when he tried to get up from his chair.
Daniel went on to win the primary. His Democratic opponent, Brandi Price, hasn’t ruled out making the altercation a campaign issue.
Daniel’s attorney has expressed surprise at the charges because his client had made a “heartfelt and sincere” apology.
