COEUR d'ALENE - A misdemeanor battery charge, stemming from a September confrontation allegedly started by racial insults, has been dismissed.

Adam T. Burrington, 24 at the time of the incident, was cited Sept. 24 for a fight he had with Davin J. Blackwell, 24 at the time, in the front yard of a house in the 1100 block of 15th Street in Coeur d'Alene.

According to police reports, Blackwell claimed Burrington and some of his friends yelled derogatory terms for African Americans and homosexuals at Blackwell as he was walking down the street. Blackwell crossed the street to confront the group, the report stated, and a fight with Burrington ensued.

Burrington disputed that account to The Press in a Sept. 29 article.

He said Blackwell charged across the street, unprovoked, and Burrington tried to calm the aggressor down before the fight broke out.

Burrington said in the article he was shocked he was ticketed for defending himself. Misdemeanor battery is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.

It was dismissed by the prosecutor's office Oct. 26, according to court files.

Coeur d'Alene City Prosecutor Wes Somerton couldn't be reached for comment Friday afternoon.