A newspaper reporter says a judge executive tried to choke him, and he believes it is related to a recent article he published in the Clay County Times.

Reporter Donnie Thompson says it started with a voice mail Wednesday night threatening his life and his family. He says, "Your wife and kids were threatened to be killed, I take it serious."

Donnie Thompson was trying to file a complaint in the sheriff's office Thursday morning, when his meeting with police was interrupted by Judge Executive Carl Sizemore.

Sheriff Kevin Johnson says, "I guess tempers got heated."

Thompson says, "I've been doing reports on where the dog warden has not been properly doing his job, and I've done several investigative stories on that. And he asked why am I talking about his son."

And that's when Thompson says judge Executive Sizemore tried to choke him.

Johnson

Thompson believes the confrontation is linked to a threatening phone call Wednesday night. Manchester police chief Jeff Culver says the phone number from that call matches Bo Sizemore, the judge executive's son, and the county dog warden.

Chief Culver says he has known Bo Sizemore for about 30 years and he strongly believes it is Sizemore's voice in the voice mail.

"There is a history here between the two individuals. The newspaper does bash, I'll use the word 'bash', the county judge quite frequently," Johnson says.

Thompson says he is having trouble getting warrants, claiming other officials told him there was a potential conflict of interest. "I just want justice served. I want my time in court just like any god fearing man deserves, their time in court."

Judge Executive Sizemore had no comment, and his son did not return our calls.

Thompson says he is meeting with the FBI and officials from the Attorney General's Office Friday. Right now, no charges have been filed.

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A newspaper reporter claims the Clay County Judge Executive tried to choke him in front of the sheriff.

The reporter also claims the judge executive's son left him a threatening message.

Local reporter Donnie Thompson went to the Clay County Sheriff's Office to file complaint about the threatening phone call.

Thompson says Judge Executive Carl Sizemore approached him and confronted him.

Sheriff Kevin Johnson says a “cussing match” broke out between Thompson and Sizemore.

He also says that there was some shoving.

Sheriff Johnson separated the two men.

Judge Sizemore had no comment.