Jimmy Lee Blackwell, the man beat by a Hartwell police officer, filed a $16.3 million lawsuit against seven police officers and two Hart County EMS workers.
According to the Hartwell Sun, the lawsuit states Hartwell police officers, headed by Officer Robert Mitchell, “savagely” beat Blackwell in the face and head during an ilegal arrest.
It also states that the officers struck Blackwell unconscious when he told the officers he didn’t have any ID on him when asked for it. Additionally it says that the EMS workers stopped at a store for more than 15 minutes while taking Blackwell to the hospital.
Victor Long, Blackwell’s attorney, said the city of Hartwell has 30 days to respond to the ante liteum notice given to them (meaning the city has been informed of Long’s intention to sue).
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is still investigating the incident. They are now trying to finish the first phases of it, which includes evaluating information available from the scene and interviewing those involved.
Fullington also stated that he has obtained indication that alcohol may have been involved, and they are waiting for findings of a toxology report, which could take several weeks. When the information is found out, the GBI will give all the information to Hart County’s districy atorney.
“We are conducting an independent investigation and trying to remain as neutral as possible,” Fullington said.
Source: The Hartwell Sun
