Man who attacked Telegraph photographer pleads guilty

The man who attacked a Telegraph photographer after a 2010 news conference pleaded guilty to battery and two counts of criminal damage to property Tuesday.

Malik Brown, 29, was sentenced to four years on probation during a hearing in Bibb County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon.

He also must pay more than $1,500 in restitution.

Brown attacked Woody Marshall, The Telegraph’s photo chief, after the news conference at Macon City Hall Dec. 30, 2010, where Marshall was shooting pictures. The news conference was called by then-state Sen. Robert Brown of Macon.

Malik Brown restrained Marshall and shoved him to the ground, injuring Marshall and damaging his camera and camera lenses. Marshall left the Macon City Council chambers to take photos of Robert Brown as he departed. When he got beside the then-senator, Malik Brown pushed him out of the way and tried to keep him from taking additional photos.

Malik Brown has said he was trying to protect Robert Brown.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Malik Brown apologized to Marshall, saying that he had used bad judgment.

For more on this story, return to macon.com and read Wednesday’s Telegraph.

This story was originally published January 31, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Man who attacked Telegraph photographer pleads guilty."