(WJET/WFXP) – The president of the Erie City Council seemingly claimed to have shot a man decades ago on Wednesday night.
“I said, 'You know, Nick, I can blow your head off.' He said, 'Go ahead.' And I did. I shot him in the head point-blank. This close,” said Erie City Council President Mel Witherspoon.
Witherspoon shocked many in the community with those words at council's evening meeting on Wednesday.
It included public comment that went on for over two hours as the community called on council members to use their platform to make movement in the investigation regarding the death of Erie resident Marchello Woodard.
Community demands answers for Marchello Woodard at Erie City Council meeting
President Witherspoon responded to frustrated residents and explained why he has not been present at rallies or Woodard's funeral.
He said it brought up some disturbing things from his past.
"I stayed in jail one night. I never went to court, I went back to basketball," said Witherspoon.
Witherspoon went on to say that he had the right contact at the right time, but didn’t say much about what happened in the end.
After reading a newspaper article about the incident, one council member gave his perspective on Witherspoon's comment.
"When Mel told that story last night, it certainly was shocking it sounded like it was a confession for murder because he didn't really say the outcome on it, but that’s a part of the story that he’s used a number of times over the years to address issues in the community,” said city council member Chuck Nelson.
Nelson referred to a 1962 telegraph bulletin article that states the incident was an accident and that Witherspoon was playing with the weapon when it discharged.
"Leaving the story where he did and his comments last night, I think, led the public to some tough spots,” said Nelson.
Erie City Co. president’s online post draws attention
The newspaper also said that the victim was reported in good condition.
At the meeting, Witherspoon said when he heard about the death of Woodard, he decided to 'lay low' due to the incident he experienced when he was 17.
JET 24 reporter Jade Leah Burns reached out to Witherspoon to allow him to address the community's uproar, but he said he has nothing more to say.
At the meeting, Witherspoon did say that he will ask council to cosign a letter to the Erie County District Attorney requesting more information about the investigation regarding Woodard's death.
Those interested in hearing Witherspoon's entire statement can watch the video in the player below.
