A Florida man spent the night in jail after a fight about politics broke out at a St. Johns County Starbucks, deputies said.
William "Bill" Savage, 66, was at a Starbucks in Ponte Vedra Beach with a group of friends on Wednesday when he got into an argument with a man, according to a police report.
Savage told WJAX that he and his friends have met at the Starbucks to discuss politics and world events every day for nearly 16 years.
He said the 42-year-old man he allegedly hit regularly inserted himself in their conversations during the past few months.
A police report says the fight started after the victim said anyone would be in jail for what Hillary Clinton had done.
Savage told WJAX that the victim began using racial slurs about President Barack Obama, saying he and Clinton should be in jail.
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Savage told the man to get out of the "family establishment" if he was going to use foul language.
The police report says Savage then asked him to step outside.
The victim told deputies once they stepped outside, Savage insulted him and stepped toward him.
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The victim told deputies Savage hit him in the left eye, which knocked off his cowboy hat, after he told Savage he had an eye booger.
The victim said he did not hit Savage back.
When deputies got to the Starbucks, Savage told them he asked the victim to step outside.
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He told deputies he hit the victim's hat after the man started getting into his personal space and made a move toward him.
Savage told WJAX that he used his hand to block the man's hat from hitting his face when the man got close to him.
He said he never laid a hand on the victim.
Deputies said they took photos of the victim's left eye, which was slightly swollen and red.
A witness also told deputies she saw Savage hit the victim.
Savage was arrested for simple battery and was taken to jail.
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