Feds: Morrow beating may be hate crime

By Megan Matteucci and Kristi Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The FBI is investigating a beating of an Army reservist in front of a Morrow Cracker Barrel as a possible hate crime.

Police charged Troy Dale West Jr. with kicking Tashawnea Hill and yelling racial slurs at her in front of her 7-year-old daughter.

West, 47, was released from the Clayton County jail Friday om a $12,150 bond.

On Wednesday, the Atlanta office of the FBI confirmed they have launched a "preliminary" investigation, at the request of Morrow Police.

"The information gathered during the FBI's investigation will be reviewed jointly by the U.S. attorney's office in the northern district of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in D.C.," FBI spokesman Stephen Emmett said.

West, of Poulan, was arrested last Wednesday on charges of cruelty to children, battery and disorderly conduct.

West, who is white, yelled racial slurs at the woman, who is black, as he was kicking and punching her in the head, police said.

“She kept saying, 'Sir, I’m a United States soldier, don’t do this,’ ” Morrow Police Capt. James Callaway said.

Hill said Wednesday that she is still in shock.

"I haven't been able to sleep since then," Hill told the Associated Press. "My major concern is that my daughter is OK. Mommy will heal up. Mommy will get better, but she's the future."

West told Morrow police he became upset because Hill spit on him after accusing him of trying to hit her daughter, according to the police report. But several witnesses said they never saw Hill spit on West.

He is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m.  Sept. 28 for a preliminary hearing.

West could not be reached for comment. His mother told the Associated Press that her son would never hurt a mother, especially in front of a child.

"This just doesn't sound right," Johnny West said.

Staff Reporter Rhonda Cook and The Associated Press contributed to this report.