Man who snarled Charleston bridge apologizes

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A man who blocked a bridge between Charleston and Mount Pleasant for two hours last month has apologized and says he was trying to get attention about his problems.

Thirty-eight-year-old Phillip DeClemente of Mount Pleasant said Tuesday he was not suicidal and did not have a bomb when he stopped on the Ravenel bridge Feb. 2.

He says he was trying to expose what he called a smear campaign against him, as well as what he says was police harassment.

DeClemente spent 30 days in the Medical University of South Carolina’s psychiatric unit after he was taken into custody. He said he was discharged about a week ago.

Police say he’s charged with reckless driving. They say they have done nothing wrong in dealing with DeClemente.