A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against three correctional officers in federal court in Brunswick, Georgia, following an incident involving an inmate being choked with a chain. The lawsuit, brought by plaintiff Tremar Harris, alleges that Officer William Rentz placed a chain around Harris' throat while he was restrained in a chair at the Appling County jail. The incident, captured on surveillance video from January 2022, shows the chain around Harris' neck for about 4 seconds.
The lawsuit claims that Rentz strangled Harris for a few seconds before releasing the chain, while officers Daydan Brannon, Cannon Mcleod, and Ansley Fennell allegedly failed to intervene or stop Rentz from engaging in the act. The lawsuit further alleges that the observing officers did not document or report the incident or Rentz's statements to Harris.
Harris, a 37-year-old Black man who was a pre-trial detainee in solitary confinement at the time of the incident, is seeking a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damages for the violation of his rights under the Constitution and Georgia's state laws.
The Appling County Sheriff's Office has not yet responded regarding the employment status of the officers involved or issued a statement on the incident. The lawsuit highlights the importance of accountability and proper conduct within correctional facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of inmates.
