SAVANNAH, Ga. — Prosecutors have dropped costs of assault, obstruction and different counts against a Georgia jail detainee after video from safety cameras confirmed him being beaten by sheriff’s deputies who rushed into his cell.
The choice to dismiss costs against 41-year-old Jarrett Hobbs got here a number of months after an investigation following the video’s launch in November led to the arrest of three Camden County deputies on battery costs within the jail beating.
“When the video got here out, it was abundantly clear that Mr. Hobbs was not the aggressor,” Harry Daniels, a civil rights lawyer representing Hobbs, mentioned Thursday.
Daniels mentioned Camden County officers had additionally agreed to pay Hobbs a “vital financial settlement” slightly than face civil claims in a lawsuit. He declined to provide the greenback quantity. John Myers, the county’s lawyer, confirmed a settlement however gave no additional particulars.
Video of Georgia deputies punching inmate triggers investigation
Nov. 15, 202201:20
Hobbs of Greensboro, North Carolina, was booked into jail in coastal Camden County for visitors violations and drug possession costs Sept. 3. Later that day, a safety digital camera recorded deputies charging into Hobbs’ cell and pushing him against a wall earlier than repeatedly punching him within the head and neck. One other digital camera recorded Hobbs being hurled against a wall and pinned to the ground.
Hobbs was charged afterward with aggravated battery, easy assault and obstruction of regulation enforcement officers. A court docket submitting by prosecutors Tuesday dismissed these costs, citing “inadequate proof” against Hobbs. Additionally dropped had been the visitors and drug counts that originally landed Hobbs in jail.
Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Legal professional Keith Higgins had no additional touch upon the case, mentioned Cheryl Diprizio, his government assistant.
Hobbs’ beating on the Georgia jail got here to mild after federal authorities in North Carolina regarded into his September arrest. They wished to find out whether or not Hobbs had violated his probation stemming from his 2014 responsible plea to a cost of conspiracy to commit financial institution and wire fraud, in accordance with court docket data.
The jail movies had been first obtained by Hobbs’ lawyer within the federal probation case, Daniels mentioned.
Daniels shared the safety movies with reporters in November. Sheriff Jim Proctor ordered an inner investigation greater than two months after the beating occurred and Hobbs was the one one charged. Higgins, the district lawyer, requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to become involved.
The next week, three Camden County deputies had been arrested on costs of battery and violating their oath of workplace. They had been additionally fired. Two others confronted disciplinary motion however weren’t charged with crimes.
Hobbs is Black. The three deputies charged are all white, in accordance with Capt. Larry Bruce, the sheriff’s spokesman.
Hobbs was returned to federal jail after authorities decided he violated phrases of his probation by leaving North Carolina. Daniels mentioned having his costs dismissed in Georgia ought to enhance Hobbs’ standing within the federal case.
