In Douglas, Georgia, the police are under investigation after nearly suffocating 29-year-old Pernell Harris to death on Aug. 25. Harris is currently in the ICU at the Coffee Regional Medical Center, according to DouglasNow.com
Coffee County Sheriff’s Office deputies answered a call for a domestic dispute between Harris and his girlfriend, who recorded the arrest and beating.
The video begins with a handcuffed Harris being taken out of the home by two deputies. Harris was handcuffed with his hands in the front, and he reportedly resisted arrest by trying to hang on to the railing on his front porch as his girlfriend begs him to cooperate. Two deputies can be seen repeatedly tasing Harris, hitting his hands to unlock them from the railing and grabbing his hair from behind in an attempt to make Harris let go of the railing.
Eventually, more deputies arrived on the scene. Three officers were seen trying to restrain Harris by placing their weight on his neck and back, clearly suffocating him because Harris appeared unresponsive after the deputies handcuffed him. One officer can be seen still sitting on Harris as he lies motionless on the ground.
Seven officers total were involved with the arrest. Harris was taken to jail, where he reportedly had trouble breathing. Harris was finally transported to the hospital, where he remains in critical condition in the ICU.
Lisa Williams, Harris’ mother, was deeply disturbed by the video, WALB reports. She also said that her son was in a coma, and they are awaiting the results of a brain scan.
“It was disturbing,” said Williams. “I didn’t like it. It really didn’t take all them to come out there and do that just to get a set of keys. I’m just wondering what happened to him. They say he passed out when he got to the jailhouse and he was fighting. I’m trying to figure out how you gonna fight with hands cuffed, either from the back, side or whatever.”
No arrests have been made except for Harris, who was charged with a misdemeanor for cruelty to a child in the 3rd degree, aggravated assault, felony obstruction of an officer and felony interference with government property.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that they would be taking over the investigation. The NAACP in Coffee County has also launched a private investigation into the beating. The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office said they do not comment on ongoing investigations.
The NAACP is hosting a prayer walk at the Coffee County Courthouse on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. for Harris.
