Clayton sheriff testifies in suit alleging false arrest

Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill told a federal jury Tuesday that he doesn’t remember hearing any recordings of threats made by Mark Tuggle, the brother of the former sheriff, on Hill’s first day in office in 2005.

But Hill testified he does recall telling deputies about Tuggle, “I want him locked up.”

Tuggle was arrested the next day but the two counts of making harassing telephone calls were dropped seven months later. Tuggle filed a federal suit against Hill alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution.

The trial started Monday in Atlanta. Hill took the stand late Tuesday afternoon and is expected to continue his testimony this morning. Tuggle is supposed to testify after Hill, said Tuggle’s attorney, Bill Atkins.

Tuggle is the brother of Stanley Tuggle, whom Hill defeated in 2004. According to arrest warrants, Mark Tuggle made a telephone call to the Sheriff’s Office and called Hill a “short little [expletive],” and a “lowdown scum,” after Hill fired 27 deputies on his first day in office.

Hill lost his re-election bid in August. He leaves office in December.