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State’s attorney considering whether charges should be filed in scuffle between Wynn, Edwards campaign workers

Monday, Aug. 21, 2006

Prince George's State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey is reviewing evidence from a fight at a debate in Largo last week between supporters of Rep. Al Wynn (D-Dist. 4) and challenger Donna Edwards and says he'll decide in the next few days whether legal action is warranted.

Edwards called on Ivey to investigate the matter. The scuffle was between one of her volunteers and two workers for her political opponent, Wynn.

Edwards gave Ivey a list of 10 witnesses and a video of the aftermath shot by her campaign.

‘‘Congressman Al Wynn needs to take control of his employees,” Edwards said. ‘‘This is the United States. This is not Al Wynn’s kingdom ... we have the evidence and we have the videotapes.”

The fight, apparently over placement of campaign signs, occurred at an NAACP-sponsored debate at Prince George’s Community College. Wynn’s workers were handcuffed and temporarily detained after the incident, but were not arrested. One was given a citation for disorderly conduct.

Edwards’ volunteer Larry Batie, who in the video given to Ivey can be seen with a cut on his forehead and blood smeared on the left side of his face, said he was knocked down by one of Wynn’s workers.

‘‘When I stood erect, I was hit in the eye ... I was shocked,” said Batie, who has a large bruise around his left eye and says he has been experiencing back spasms.

Witnesses from Edwards’ campaign corroborated Batie’s account.

But Wynn said Edwards’ workers instigated the fight to grab media attention.

Edwards sent a letter to Wynn after the incident calling for a public apology. She identified one of the workers who was handcuffed as a congressional staff member, and called on Wynn to fire him.