Tommy Bryant
John Thomas Bryant (born c. 1945) is a long-time member of the Tarrant City Council, representing District 5.
Bryant graduated from Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida and is married to the former Nancy Mahler. He was elected to the city council on or before 2008, and was re-elected in 2012. He was unopposed in the 2016 election and defeated challenger Jameka Wright by garnering 87 votes to her 59 in the 2020 election which also saw Tarrant elect its first Black mayor, Wayman Newton.
In 2021 Bryant accused Newton of harassing city employees and of trying to instigate a fight with him. Newton denied those claims, but did admit to raising his voice after Bryant addressed him as "boy". Bryant used a racial slur during a Council meeting on July 20, and later claimed he was only repeating a phrase he had heard Newton use to describe fellow council member Veronica Freeman. Newton denied that accusation as well. In August, Bryant swore out a warrant accusing Newton of misdemeanor "harassing communications", alleging that he had made a sexual threat against his wife on June 19. Newton denied the allegation and posted bond. In November, Bryant was ruled out of order at a meeting when he told the mayor to "shut your mouth." He was asked to remove himself from the meeting.
Bryant was arrested for harassment for assaulting Newton after an exchange of words which followed a council meeting on November 7, 2022. After his release on bond, Bryant retrieved his automobile from A-1 Towing, but refused to pay for it, resulting in another arrest. He was found not guilty in a bench trial held before Judge Katrina Ross in May 2023.
References
- Garrison, Greg (July 21, 2021) "Tarrant’s first Black mayor denies using ‘N-word’ about council member." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (August 6, 2021) "Veteran lawman named first Black police chief in Tarrant." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (August 19, 2021) "Tarrant mayor arrested for alleged sexual, harassing comments about councilman’s wife." The Birmingham News
- Hedgepeth, Lee (November 16, 2021) "Tarrant city councilor escorted from meeting after ‘pig’ comments, telling mayor to shut his mouth." CBS42.com
- Robinson, Carol & Howard Koplowitz (November 8, 2022) "Tarrant councilman Tommy Bryant jailed after Mayor Wayman Newton says he ‘sucker-punched’ him; police release video." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (November 10, 2022) "Arrested Tarrant councilman allegedly punched mayor for ‘vulgar and disgusting comments’ about his wife." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (May 31, 2023) "Tarrant City Councilman Tommy Bryant not guilty in punching of Mayor Wayman Newton." AL.com