An ex-Clayton County sheriff’s deputy, indicted after a man was repeatedly punched on the pavement in 2020, entered a guilty plea in June and was sentenced as a first offender.
Brandon Myers was originally indicted on battery and violating the oath of office charges. According to Clayton County court records, the charges were combined and he was sentenced to five years probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine on the violation of oath charge as part of the plea deal.
Myers was fired by then Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill in 2020 after a bystander’s cellphone video of the incident went viral. Roderick Walker had been driving when he was pulled over and accused of trying to flee deputies. Video captured Myers striking him with his fist.
Myers said Walker had bit him, The Atlanta Journal Constitution previously reported. the indictment accused Myers of intentionally causing bodily harm to Walker by striking him in the head and face, resulting in swelling and abrasions.
Walker was originally charged with two counts each of battery and obstruction but charges were later dropped. There was no body camera footage of the incident.
The viral video drew national attention during a time of national reckoning on race and policing as the video showed a white deputy punching a Black man. While speaking to the media days after the video went viral, Walker said he was scared.
Editor’s note: The video below includes graphic content and language.
“I feared for my life, and I just pray, just hope that it doesn’t happen to nobody else. I lost consciousness, I couldn’t breathe,” Walker said at the time. “I just pray it don’t happen to nobody else.”
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