THE THIN BLUE LINE
An attorney for a North Carolina man is calling for a criminal investigation into why his client, a 41-year-old Black man, was beaten while in custody at the Camden County, Georgia, Detention Center in September.
In a news release, civil rights attorney Harry Daniels says his client Jarrett Hobbs was “mercilessly” beaten by officers at the detention center.
“Mr. Hobbs entered the Camden County Jail suffering a psychological episode and asking to be placed in protective confinement. But instead of protecting him, these deputies jumped him and beat and kicked him mercilessly like a gang of dangerous thugs,” he wrote.
Video provided to CNN by civil rights attorney Harry Daniels, shows his client, Jarret Hobbs alone in a cell at the detention center. In the video five officers can be seen entering Hobbs’ cell, and one grabs Hobbs at his neck. During a struggle inside the cell, at least four of the officers can be seen wrestling with Hobbs, some of the officers hitting him in the head. A second video released by his attorneys shows Hobbs being pulled out of the cell and officers can be seen wrestling him to the ground. The video appears to show at least one officer kicking Hobbs. Four of the five officers appear to be White; the other appears to be Black.
✱Hobbs was charged with assault after the incident.
✱He was originally arrested for speeding, driving with a suspended/revoked license and possession of a controlled substance.
✱One officer injured himself when he punched a wall as he swung and missed at Hobbs.
✱Daniels alleges Hobbs was denied medical treatment afterward and instead was placed in solitary confinement.
✱According to the attorney, the objects in Hobbs’ hands were a piece of paper and a sandwich.
