GBI joins investigation of DeKalb officer who beat woman with baton

A video posted on YouTube shows the arrest and beating of a DeKalb County woman. (Credit: YouTube)

A video posted on YouTube shows the arrest and beating of a DeKalb County woman. (Credit: YouTube)

The GBI has agreed to join the investigation into a DeKalb County police officer who was seen beating a woman with a baton during an arrest June 4.

“The request was made following a meeting with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, who stressed the importance of a factual, independent investigation based on the new video evidence and other pertinent information,” DeKalb police Chief James Conroy said.

Katie McCrary, 38, was charged with obstruction and released from jail after medical officials at Grady Memorial Hospital cleared her, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.

After the police department learned of a 1-minute, 39-second video shot by a bystander, they reopened the investigation of Officer P.J. Larscheid, who has been placed on restricted duty.

McCrary’s husband, Antoine McCrary, said he believes this is a case of police brutality and he is calling for justice.

Police arrested the woman for the incident and say three days later, they arrested her again for prostitution.