An East Baton Rouge Parish pastor who is seen on video physical fighting the 20-year-old son of his neighbor defends his actions during a press conference in front of his church in Central. Reverend Tony Spell says he got into a fist fight with the young man, because he threatened violence against his family.
“I’m quoting him, he said Tony, I’m going to rape your wife, and I’m going to rape all of your grandchildren, and he said the next time you go out of town, I’m going to kill them,” Spell said.
Spell says he was threatened while changing the battery on one of the church’s school buses.
The family that allegedly threatened Spell deny the accusations. But Spell says he went across the four-lane highway in front of his church to protect his family.
“I will not allow a man to murder my children when I’m gone,” Spell said.
Spell and his attorney say the family across the street has threatened the pastor and his family multiple times and they’ve reported those incidents to the Central Police Department.
Central Police Chief Roy Corcoran says Spell’s wife has only contacted his police department one time about her neighbors, claiming they were following her.
Video shows Spell punching the 20-year-old numerous times. Spell says he will protect his wife and grandchildren who were threatened to be raped and killed.
“I have a duty and an obligation to protect them” Spell said. “Number one, I’m a husband, number two I’m a father, and number three I’m a pastor who shepherd’s his flock,” Spell said.
The only person facing charges is Spell. He bonded out of jail on Tuesday after he was charged with second-degree battery.