Jail fight under investigation

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities have begun an investigation into whether a fight at the Lincoln County Jail this week was racially motivated, Sheriff Dale McNelly said. <br/><br/>Three men were taken

Saturday, July 31st 2004, 12:11 pm

By: News On 6

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities have begun an investigation into whether a fight at the Lincoln County Jail this week was racially motivated, Sheriff Dale McNelly said.

Three men were taken to a physician for treatment of minor injuries in the fight Thursday, McNelly said.

``The bottom line is, we're still trying to get to the bottom of what really happened,'' McNelly said. ``We'd know more if they (the prisoners) were cooperating and giving us the information we need.''

Sherry Simmons of Oklahoma City said her boyfriend, Sheldon Lewis, was injured in the fight. According to Simmons, Lewis said the fight was a racially motivated attack and several black inmates were injured.

McNelly said the fight occurred between a few black prisoners and a group of white prisoners who were among 19 people arrested Wednesday in a drug sweep by state and local law enforcement agencies.

McNelly said there is no proof the fight was racially motivated, although that possibility has not been ruled out.