Video released allegedly shows Bibb deputy kicking handcuffed man

Bibb County deputies released a video Monday allegedly showing a deputy kicking a handcuffed man in the chest last August.

The video appears to be recorded by witnesses standing several feet away from where 39-year-old Devasco M. Holly was wrestled to the ground on Brief Street near Third Avenue Aug. 10, 2014, at about 5 a.m.

In the predawn darkness, Holly is wearing a light-colored shirt.

At one point, he is shown trying to get onto his knees and standing about a minute later.

A uniformed deputy takes him to the ground and warns Holly, “If you get up one more time, I’ll kick you in the stomach.”

Holly, who is lying on the ground sits up, and the same deputy says, “Stay right where you are.”

Holly shimmies himself onto his knees and appears to be trying to stand again when it appears that a deputy kicks him. Holly falls to the ground.

A woman’s voice is recorded saying, “He just kicked him.”

At least three uniformed officials appear to have been present during the encounter.

Nathaniel Woodard, 28, a deputy hired in 2011, was charged with simple battery and violating his oath of office Friday stemming from the incident.

He was fired Friday after being found in violation of several sheriff’s office policies, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

Internal affairs investigators, who were already looking into the incident, received the video in July. Receipt of the video led to Woodard’s arrest.

Bibb County Superior Court records show Holly was indicted on an obstruction charge stemming from an Aug. 10 incident involving another deputy. A prosecutor filed a motion to dismiss the case July 10, citing “in the interest of justice” as the reason.

On the night of the incident, Holly was charged with two counts of criminal trespass, obstruction, battery, cruelty to children, simple battery, burglary, a probation violation, terroristic threats and reckless conduct, according to the sheriff’s office.

He pleaded guilty to the criminal trespass and battery charges Sept. 15 and was sentenced to a year on probation for each charge, along with a $500 fine.

The criminal trespass and battery charges stemmed from a June 18, 2013, incident which also is linked to a burglary charge. Holly has pleaded not guilty to the burglary, and the case is still pending in superior court, according to court records.

Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report. To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398 or find her on Twitter@awomackmacon.

This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Video released allegedly shows Bibb deputy kicking handcuffed man ."