The head of McComb’s NAACP said Thursday he expects to see Ward 3 Selectman E.C. Nobles in court to explain charges of threatening a public official after an incident outside City Hall two days earlier.
Nobles, who was one of three selectmen who backed the removal of City Administrator Jim Storer in a disputed closed-session vote Tuesday, reported to police that McComb NAACP President Anthony Witherspoon confronted him immediately after that meeting, stating that Nobles was “going to pay for what (he) was doing to (his) community.”
Nobles said he’s already had his family threatened and his DeSoto Street business picketed in May following his abstention from a vote to hold a hearing regarding Mayor Zach Patterson’s residency. He said he felt personally threatened by Witherspoon.
The residency hearing on Patterson was later dropped.
Witherspoon disputed Nobles’ description of their encounter Thursday, calling allegations against him malicious and wrong.
“It’s ridiculous,” said Witherspoon. “I’m a parent as well as E.C. is a parent. I would never threaten anyone physical or bodily harm. I’m always conscious of what I say, and my words were most definitely taken out of context.”
Witherspoon said he only wanted to discuss the vote with Nobles, and Nobles refused to talk.
“It bewilders me to know that an elected official has no interest in talking with members of the community,” Witherspoon said. “To me, it is an attempt to smear my name and reputation, and my attorney and I will see him in court.”
The charges against Witherspoon are a misdemeanor and would be heard in McComb City Court if the case proceeds.
