Challenger McArthur Holmes today sued Sheriff Al St Lawrence for allegedly violating their agreement not to sling mud in their campaign.
Holmes, a retired sheriff’s official, is running as a Democrat to oust St Lawrence, a Republican, as sheriff in Tuesday’s General Election.
Holmes’ lawyers contended today that St Lawrence violated an agreement which barred he and Holmes from commenting negatively about the other during the remainder of their campaign for sheriff.
Specifically, Holmes contends St Lawrence violated the agreement by:
- Telling a television reporter “We did very well in it” after the Oct. 24 hearing on his suit against Holmes.
- Producing a campaign mailer that contains Holmes’ picture with a “slash mark” across the face and the words “Say ‘No” to Holmes”
- Commenting at a candidates forum Oct. 30 at the Savannah Morning News
St Lawrence’s statement on Oct. 24 “is tantamount to him claiming victory in this proceeding,” Holmes’ attorneys William Claiborne and Sage Brown contend. “This statement violated both the letter and the spirit of the order which was entered.
The action seeks a contempt of court finding by Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Judge Cynthia Becker, who oversaw a settlement of an earlier action between the two candidates last week.
St Lawrence sued Holmes, charging he continued to use the “official uniform, seal and flag of the Chatham County Sheriff’s office “in direct violation of the law,
Becker, who was brought here after the local Superior Court judges recused themselves, remained in chambers last Wednesday as attorneys for both candidates and the candidates met behind closed doors to work it out.
About three hours later, Becker announced a settlement but provided no specifics on what is contained.
Lawyers for neither side discussed those specifics, referring only to the court order.
In it both sides agreed not to make negative references to the other during the remaining two weeks of the campaign.