| Man accused of trying to run over katherine harris Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/110504/tp3np5.htm?date=110504&story=tp3np5.htmhttp://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/110504/tp3np5.htm?date=110504&story=tp3np5.htm
11/05/04 Man accused of trying to run over Katherine Harris enters not guilty plea
SARASOTA -- A 46-year-old Sarasota man who told police he was "exercising his political expression" when he allegedly tried to run over U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris and a group of re-election campaign supporters has pleaded not guilty in Sarasota County Court.
Barry Seltzer, of 2482 W. Paulstan Court, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Sarasota County jail Thursday. He was released on $500,000 bond.
According to a Sarasota Police Department report, Harris and several supporters were campaigning at the intersection of Fruitville Road and North Washington Boulevard in Sarasota when a silver Cadillac sped as it entered the intersection.
As the Cadillac drove west on Fruitville past the intersection, the driver swerved at the last minute and allegedly drove onto the sidewalk and straight at Harris, but swerved again at the last minute and drove off. No one was injured.
Harris, who was re-elected Tuesday, told police she feared for her life and couldn't move as the vehicle sped toward her, the report shows.
A witness was able to remember the license plate number, which was registered to a silver Cadillac owned by Seltzer, a registered Democrat.
During an interview at the police station, Seltzer began discussing various traffic issues that concerned him, including slow drivers in the passing lane. The report said Seltzer told police that Harris supporters had been standing in the street, impeding traffic on Fruitville Road.
"I intimidated them with my car," Seltzer told police. "I was exercising my political expression. I did not run them down. I scared them a little."
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a first-degree felony that carries a possible 30-year prison sentence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
You can e-mail Renee LePere at lepere@sun-herald.com.
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