Randall says Harris attacked and stabbed him on his property; was in a fight for his life
The victim of an assault that led to the arrest of Billy Folsom Harris, disputed claims by Harris' attorney that the two men were on Harris' property when the altercation took place.
Harris, 74, 206 Forrest Ave., East Brewton, was charged with assault II for allegedly stabbing Howard Randall about six times following an argument about a property line. Harris' attorney, Chuck Johns, said last week that the incident happened on Harris' property, however Randall disputes that claim.
“The comment that Harris was on his own property is not true,” Randall stated last Thursday after the Tri-City Ledger was published. “He came onto my property, attacked me from behind and stabbed me in the back.”
Randall said he and his wife moved from Wisconsin to the area to be closer to his wife's mother. Randall said he has a hobby that requires a large garage and he located the property at 222 Forrest Ave., East Brewton, that would meet his needs.
“I bought it last year,” Randall said. “It was a dilapidated building that needed a lot of work.”
Randall said as he began working on the building Harris kept coming over arguing about property lines and water rights.
Randall also claims that Harris began moving the property line markers and that he took photographs of Harris moving the markers, which apparently made Harris mad. He said Harris then came onto his property at attacked him.
“He got mad and attacked me,” Randall said. “After he stabbed me in the back he tried to stab me in the neck.”
Randall said he had to grab Harris' arm at at one point the knife got so close to his face that the blade scratched his face.
“I was in the fight of my life to save my life,” Randall said.
