The Clayton County District Attorney upgraded charges against a racist who kicked and punched a black woman in front of her daughter at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.
The incident occurred on September 9 outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Morrow, Georgia. Troy West, 47, and his wife were exiting the restaurant just as Tasha Hill, 35, and her 7-year-old daughter were entering.
“The man slung open the door pretty hard and fast and I had to push my daughter out of the way. I turned to the man and I just said, ‘Excuse me sir, you need to watch yourself you almost hit my daughter in the face.’ And from there it just went downhill,” said Hill.
More words were exchanged before West threw Hill to the ground and began viciously kicking and punching her as he screamed racial epithets at the army reservist. The beating took place in full view of Hill’s hysterical daughter.
The assault ended when the restaurant manager got between West and his victim.
West was initially charged with the misdemeanor assault and released on $5,000 bond. But after viewing the surveillance tape of the assault, Clayton County District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson presented the case to a grand jury Wednesday and asked for upgraded charges.
“I don’t normally get personally involved in cases, but I am going to personally prosecute Mr. West on behalf of that victim and the citizens of this county,” District Attorney Tracy Graham Lawson said last week.
The grand jury indicted West on new, felony charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, battery and disorderly conduct and he was ordered held without bond in a hearing in Clayton County court yesterday.
A group of protestors outside the courthouse who had called for the upgraded charges were happy with the outcome of the hearing.
In a phone interview with WSB TV, West’s mother said her son would never hurt a mother in front of her child.
“This just doesn’t sound right,” said Johnny West from her Poulan home.
Thanks to loyal reader Cornelius for the tip!
