On New Year’s Day, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies arrested convicted attempted murderer Jeffrey Ray Smith, 63, and charged him with one count of misdemeanor battery.
According to the arrest report, the victim, who is a year younger than Smith, made a “light-hearted joke” about Smith being on his phone. In response, Smith reportedly slapped the victim in his face. Two witnesses told police they saw Smith hit the victim.
Smith initially told police he didn’t know what happened but after being put in handcuffs said he hit the victim but only in retaliation to being struck first, the arrest report states…