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Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

Lawsuit accuses sheriff’s deputies of inmate assault

WARNER ROBINS — A federal lawsuit was filed Thursday against Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton and others that alleged more than a dozen deputies assaulted a mentally ill man while he was being held at the county jail in 2008.

The lawsuit alleged that Shamel Howell, 27, of Warner Robins, was encircled by deputes, incapacitated by a Taser, stripped, kicked and hit without provocation. Howell alledgedly was allowed to keep on a pair of shorts under his jumpsuit when booked into the jail that the deputies are accused of later removing by force.

The lawsuit also alleged that the group of jailers called themselves “the Hardliners” after a professional wrestling group “known for their superior physical abuse of their opponents” and that “the Hardliners” were called in by other deputies whenever “an inmate needed to be controlled ... or dealt with using force.”

“The bottom line is he was physically abused ... for no reason,” said Virgil L. Adams, one of the Macon attorneys representing Howell.

Howell was arrested by Warner Robins police Jan. 7, 2008, on the charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. A plea of not guilty by reason of insanity was entered and Howell was found incompetent to stand trial, Adams said. The case is on hold, with the potential for Howell to face the charge should he later be found competent to stand trial, Adams said.

Howell, who posted bail a few days after the incident, is now staying with family, Adams said.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Macon on behalf of Howell and conservators Birdie and Richard Pogue.

The lawsuit names as defendants: Talton; Chief Deputy Billy Rape; jail administrator Maj. Charles Holt; deputies Matt Thomas Chambers, Cheryl Kinney Jones, Eric Leon Baker, Elton Law, James Paul Taylor, Shannon King, Theresa Jean Reynolds, James Keith Blair, Gregory Graham, Calvin Dale Johnson, Kadrell Askew and five deputies listed as “John Does 1 through 5.”

Talton declined to comment and referred questions to Houston County attorneys Mike Long and Tom Hall. Noting that attorneys have not yet seen the lawsuit, Hall declined to comment.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.