Ex-jailer pleads guilty to excessive force

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A former Fulton County Jail guard pleaded guilty Wednesday to hitting a handcuffed inmate in the head with a milk crate.

Denita Shaw, 41, of Smyrna pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony charge of violating the inmate's civil rights through excessive force.

The attack happened in January 2009, and Shaw was later fired. She had worked at the jail for eight years.

Shaw will be sentenced May 4. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.

"The inhumane treatment of persons in custody must cease," Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said. "This case continues to show that excessive force and the disregard of policies and procedures at the Fulton County Jail will not be tolerated."