GEORGIA — A grand jury indicted Georgia law enforcement officers for civil rights violations and obstruction of justice in connection with the beating of a man at the Bainbridge BikeFest in 2012, the U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday.
The seven count indictment charged former Grady County Sheriff’s Deputy Wiley Griffin IV and Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Captain Elizabeth “Liz” Croley with violating an individual’s civil rights.
Additionally, Croley, Decatur County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Kines and former Decatur County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Wade Umbach were charged with obstructive conduct relating to the investigation into the civil rights violation.
The indictment charges that Griffin used excessive force during the arrest of a civilian, A.P., at the Bainbridge BikeFest motorcycle event in Bainbridge, Georgia, on Sept. 15 to 16, 2012.
As a result of the assault, A.P. sustained injuries to his face, including cuts, bleeding, swelling and bruising, the indictment states.
The indictment also charges Croley, Kines and Umbach with writing false reports to cover up the assault.
In addition, Kines and Umbach were charged with making misleading statements to the FBI to obstruct the agency’s investigation into the use of force against A.P.
In addition, the indictment charges Croley with violating A.P.’s constitutional right to a fair trial by intentionally withholding material exculpatory evidence from the District Attorney’s office, and, in turn, from A.P.’s criminal defense attorney, during prosecution of A.P. arising from the arrest at BikeFest.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.