Surveillance video allegedly showing a Clayton County deputy pushing an inmate into an elevator has sparked a GBI investigation into possible excessive force, authorities said.
Deputy Patrick Fluellen allegedly picked up and shoved Marlon Brown, causing him to hit a wall face-first, Channel 2 Action News reported.
The incident happened in June 2017, and two supervisors reviewed the video at the time and determined the deputy broke no policies, Channel 2 reported.
Brown’s sister, Ashley, pushed for the video to be released.
The deputy said the inmate refused to get into the elevator, so he pushed him inside, Channel 2 reported. Fluellen said Brown tripped and stumbled into the elevator wall.
However, Brown’s attorney, Amber Reed, told Channel 2 she sees a different story unfold on tape.
“I see my client being lifted off the ground and thrown into an elevator because an officer couldn’t control his temper,” Reed told the news station.
Reed said Brown suffers from mental illness and was off his medication at the time.
Sheriff Victor Hill placed his deputy on administrative leave last week after he said he saw the video for the first time.
Reed told Channel 2 she found Fluellen has had multiple excessive-force complaints.
Brown has been transferred to another facility for his safety, the news station reported.
The GBI’s investigation is ongoing.
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