PRESTONSBURG — Tempers flared before Thursday’s recanvass of the Martin mayoral election, resulting in the husband of former Mayor Thomasine Robinson being jailed for menacing and terroristic threatening.

According to witnesses at Thursday’s hearing, James “Red” Robinson made verbal threats against the presumed winner of Martin’s mayor’s race, Sam Howell.

“I was threatened by Robinson’s husband and step-son,” said Mayor-elect Sam Howell.

Witnesses to the event confirmed the threats by James Robinson, though could not confirm a specific threat made by Steve Robinson.

James Robinson was present for most of the hearing and made several remarks to county board of elections members, before leaving partway through the proceedings. Robinson, made a request to see “the books,” or signature roster, and also asked pointed questions about what he called “chaos” at one of the polling places in Martin.

County Attorney Keith Bartley confirmed after the hearing that witnesses on the board of elections heard Robinson make threats to Howell before the meeting.

According to the criminal complaint which was issued by Howell, James Robinson “threatened to bust the affiant’s head while getting up in the affiant’s face.”

Robinson was later arrested by Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and was lodged in the Floyd County Detention Center. At press time, a bond for Robinson’s release had not been set.