Associated Press
PELHAM, Ga. — Five state prison guards are facing charges in connections with the beatings of inmates at the Jimmy Autry State Prison in south Georgia.
Mitchell County District Attorney Joe Mulholland says one of the suspects is accused of destroying the videotaped recording of the violence.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the guards were fired from their jobs at the prison in Pelham and were taken into custody on Wednesday. All five were free on bond Thursday.
Three of the defendants have been charged with battery and violating their oaths; one was charged with simple assault and violating his oath; and a fifth guard was charged with tampering with evidence and violating his oath.
The Atlanta newspaper reports that the Department of Corrections declined to release any details about the Feb. 8 incident.