Clayton County

Sheriff Victor Hill wants job back and his attorney says law is on his side

By Tom Jones, WSB-TV
By Tom Jones, WSB-TV

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Suspended Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill is taking on Gov. Brian Kemp, saying he should have his job back.

Hill’s lawyer, Matt Tucker, said by law, Hill should have been able to return to office in September and now he wants a Fulton County judge to make sure that happens.

Tucker told Channel 2′s Tom Jones that the statute says Hill should be returned to office if he is not tried at the next term of the court after he was indicted. He said that hasn’t happened, so they want Hill back at work.

Hill is known in many circles as the crime fighter.

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“When Victor Hill was in, the crime did come down,” a Clayton County resident, who only identified himself as Mullins, said.

Then there are others who say Hill hurts the county more than he helps.

“The service that he provides inside the jail is not well for the wellbeing of humans I should say,” another resident said.

Hill faces federal charges after he was indicted and accused of putting detainees in restraint chairs for hours as punishment at the jail.

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Kemp then suspended Hill in June. Now Hill is asking a judge to reinstate him.

“He has been out long enough. He’s ready to get back to crimefighting,” Tucker said.

Jones was at the Fulton County Courthouse when the sheriff’s attorney filed a court action asking a judge to terminate Hill’s suspension.

Tucker said the statute the governor used to suspend Hill also says Hill should be reinstated if he isn’t tried at the next regular or special term of court after indictment.

Tucker said that hasn’t happened, so Hill should be back in office.

“Tried means tried. There’s no other word,” Tucker said.

Hill’s supporters say they’ve noticed a change with him out of office.

“There was a difference when he was in,” Mullins said.

Another man told Jones that he’s been in the jail and what he saw has him wanting Hill to stay right where he is.

“I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen him do a lot of crazy stuff, man,” the man said, not identifying himself.

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Jones contacted the governor’s office to see if it agreed with Hill’s attorney’s understanding of the statute. He is still waiting for a response.

In the meantime, Tucker said there could be a court hearing in the next 30 days where a judge could hear arguments from both sides on this issue.

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Attorney filing motion to have suspended Sheriff Victor Hill reinstated Governor Brian Kemp suspended the sheriff in June after he allegedly violated inmates' civil rights.

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