Sheriff Blasts DA As Deputy Is Charged In Assault Of Fellow Deputy
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AUGUSTA, GA - One of the deputies involved in a dispute during a fatal shooting response has resigned.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Nicholas Nunes has submitted his resignation, effective immediately.
Nunes was the deputy that was injured in the incident after Sheriff Richard Roundtree said Deputy Brandon Keathley hit him in the back of the head with a flashlight during the Feb. 7 incident.
Roundtree, during a news conference, said the incident boiled down to
a "heat of the moment" response as Keathley, Nunes, and a trainee attempted to save the life of 17-year-old DeAngelo Burns.
Burns had been shot in a previous incident and brought to a Circle K on Peach Orchard Road. That's where deputies found Burns and attempted to perform life-saving first aid.
But at some point, things turned heated between Nunes and Keathley, Roundtree said, and Keathley hit Nunes with the flashlight.
Nunes was given a written reprimand over the incident, according to Roundtree, and Keathley was suspended for 30 days.
Nunes released a statement following his resignation.
“I know my worth. I refuse to be mistreated, lied about, betrayed and belittled. I am walking out on my own terms. I put in good work that I know has had a positive impact on this community. Goodbye to my brothers and sisters I’ve made here. Stay safe.- Respectfully, 5213”
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia deputy has been indicted on assault charges after he hit another deputy with a flashlight, drawing complaints from the county sheriff that the prosecution is unjustified.
Richmond County Deputy Brandon Keathley turned himself in on Wednesday after he was indicted Tuesday for aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a police officer. The latter charge carries a mandatory prison sentence of at least five years.
Keathley was released without being required to post an upfront cash bail. Sheriff Richard Roundtree, who criticized the prosecution of the case as “highly irregular,” said Keathley is on paid leave pending trial, with his police powers suspended.
Keathley is accused of hitting former Deputy Nicholas Nunes, who arrived at a shooting scene on Feb. 7 and tried to take over from Keathley administering first aid to the victim. Officials say Keathley then hit Nunes in the head with a flashlight.
Roundtree has said the incident was embarrassing but happened in the “heat of the moment.” Keathley was suspended 30 days without pay but resumed his duties afterward. Roundtree also issued a written reprimand to Nunes, who resigned from the department and later joined the Arizona State Patrol.
The shooting victim, 17-year-old DeAngelo Burns, died. Another teen, 16-year-old Taylor Jaquavious, has pleaded not guilty to adult murder charges in the shooting.
Roundtree said his discipline was sufficient and blasted Richmond County District Attorney Natalie Paine for prosecuting the case.
“At no time was the sheriff contacted by the district’s attorney’s office regarding this highly irregular investigation,” Roundtree said in a statement Wednesday. “One can only speculate as to why the district attorney chose this path but it could lead some to assume that the sheriff’s political philosophy may have attributed to this extremely unorthodox approach into a criminal investigation.”
Paine defended her actions, saying Keathley got required legal notice and that a first grand jury recommended the charge and a second grand jury proceeded with the indictment, as required under Georgia law providing special protections to law enforcement officers.
“While it is unfortunate that the sheriff of Richmond County takes issue with the citizens of Richmond County reviewing the conduct of his officers, it is shameful to suggest that this was politically motivated,” Paine said in a statement.
it's a good thing that he was charged, he hit a person in the head with a flashlight that trying to kill someone. and sheriff don't make the laws they are there to follow the laws. 1 law for the land and the people.
ReplyDeleteAnd another ones gone and another ones gone another bites the dust lmfao karmas a
ReplyDeletewhat would happen to a man who hits another man with a flashlight
ReplyDeletebefore witnesses?of course he would get an unpaid vacation of a month,sure
No.. what would happen to another man who hit a police office with a flashlight... ?
DeleteDo you think the Sheriff will be saying it was the "Heat of the Moment" Or be saying he could have killed the officer ?
They have different script for officers
1) Unfortunatwly, we may never find out what the two COPS were fighting about, or why the one hit the other.
ReplyDelete2) The COP who was charged will undoubtedly be allowed to plea down from agg assault on a LEO (5 years) to Disorderly Conduct ($250 fine).
The sheriff is just pissed he couldn't pull the good old boys strings and get this swept under the rug. "He was suspended for two felonies. Isn't that enough?" Hold these cops accountable.
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening now day ( as the cops would say ) cops are starting to be held accountable for their actions! Cops are so fare out of control its scary! What the sad part is Bad cops is getting good cops killed! Now days people not only don't like cops people Hate cops and they made that name them self's! its going to take a very, very long time to fix this problem!!!!
ReplyDeletethe only good cop is a dead one
Deletesoooo true !!!! Cops have run wild and aggressive for decades and now the citizens have had enough !!! Good for the DA for pressing charges...... and maybe the DA should press charges against the sheriff for being such an a$$ !!!!
ReplyDeleteI can remember back when I, as a regular citizen, struck an officer in the back of his head with my flashlight and the Sheriff told me to not even worry about it as it was a heat of the moment thing. We shook hands and laughed about it. Good times, good times.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I hit a cop I hit a cop in the back of the head with a flashlight will they just give me a reprimand.
ReplyDelete