Former Marion County sheriff defends himself against accusations of lying

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Former Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair spoke out publicly for the first time since he was charged with lying under oath.

Blair agreed to a plea deal in the perjury case against him last month.

Blair told Channel 9's Myrt Price during a news conference Friday that he regrets taking a plea deal.

Blair said he’s innocent and wanted to fight the charges but that other factors prevented him from taking his fight to court.

He worried about the impact it would have on his family, Blair said.

"I did not commit perjury that day, and it’s heartbreaking,” Blair said. "This was a political assassination."

Blair was arrested in May after the State Attorney's Office said he lied under oath about whether or not Blair witnessed injuries suffered by suspect, Dustin Heathman, when he was arrested by deputies.

Prosecutors released video that appears to show Blair looking directly at Heathman’s bloody face as he is led away in handcuffs.

"Why would I, as sheriff, who has served this community for over 38 years, lie to a grand jury?” Blair said.

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Blair outlined his case before supporters and reporters on Friday. He even had visual aids of a timeline of events. But because of his plea deal, he can now only fight this case in the court of public opinion.

Eyewitness News did press Blair on why he took the plea deal if he said he’s innocent.

"Because of the costs. It was probably going to be around $300,000 to $500,000; that's one thing. It was going to take a year and a half to go to trial,” Blair told Price.

He went on to say his daughter is in physician assistant school.

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"It’s difficult and she's got to be totally concentrated on those exams, so it was a family decision,” Blair said.

Blair’s wife said Gov. Rick Scott should give him back his old job and allow him to finish his term.

Cox Media Group