Man who was pinned down, punched by Clayton County deputies released on bond

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The man at the center of a viral video in which he was punched and pinned down by a Clayton County deputy has been released on bond with an ankle monitor.

Video circulated widely on social media Friday night of several deputies pinning a bleeding man to the concrete as upset family members scream in the background.

The man was later identified as Roderick Walker.

Channel 2 Action News learned Thursday that Walker was granted a signature bond and was released Thursday evening.

Walker’s lawyers said they immediately arranged for him to be examined by a neurologist and orthopedic specialist because he’s had “numerous medical issues following the violent beating he endured.”

Walker will address the media on Friday at 11 a.m. alongside his attorneys, mother and girlfriend.

We’ll bring you the news conference LIVE anywhere you stream WSB-TV.

Lawyers said Walker and his family had just returned a rental car and had a friend take them back home. A unmarked Clayton County patrol car pulled over the driver for a broken tail light.

A cousin of Walker’s shared the video of what unfolded next on her Facebook page Friday afternoon.

TRENDING:

• Schumer, Warren announce resolution to forgive up to $50K of student loan debt
• Fulton County teachers protest students' early return to the classroom
• Snellville woman killed by falling tree as she walked her dog

Williams said deputies asked to see Walker’s license, even though he was the ride-share passenger and not the driver. Walker why he should have to show his ID when he wasn’t driving and wasn’t doing anything wrong.

“They became upset when he asked, ‘Why are you asking for my ID? I’m not driving and I haven’t done anything wrong,’” Williams said.

The confrontation wasn’t caught on camera, but video shot moments later shows a bloodied Walker being pinned by the neck to the ground as deputies lie on top of him.

A woman in the background screams, “he’s bleeding” as she records what is happening. One deputy yells out “he’s biting my hand” as the two deputies continue to hold Walker on the ground. Video shows one deputy punch Walker several times.

The woman repeatedly yells “Get off of him. He says he can’t breathe, officer,” and a child can be heard screaming “daddy” in the background.

Photos of Walker released by the family Saturday show him with a black eye in a jail jumpsuit. Lawyers said he passed out twice during the attack and he should have been given medical treatment.

“They continued to beat this man in his face instead of protecting and serving, which they are required to do,” Williams said.

He was taken to the Clayton County jail on two counts of obstruction and two counts of battery. He was released on bond and immediately taken to the Fulton County Jail where he faced charges for a felony probation violation.

Walker’s lawyer, Shean Williams, released a statement about his previous charges on Sunday:

“Roderick Walker is in jail solely because he was illegally arrested after being assaulted by Clayton County Sheriff deputies, not because of anything he did during that incident or in the past. Mr. Walker would not be in jail if it were not for this unlawful arrest that violated his legal and constitutional rights.”

Williams has demanded the charges against Walker be dropped and for deputies in the video to be criminally charged.

“He didn’t resist anything. He was arrested and told to get out of the car when he didn’t commit any crime,” Williams said.

One of the officers in the video was fired.

The investigation into the case is now in the hands of the district attorney’s office.

Clayton County DA says office still collecting information in Roderick Walker case

Cox Media Group