ATLANTA, -- The attorney representing Tasha Hill, the African-American victim of a public beating in a Morrow, Ga., restaurant, has subpoenaed Cracker Barrel restaurants for the surveillance video of the incident that occurred on Sept. 9.
The subpoena followed repeated requests for the video by Hill's attorney, Kip Jones, after the restaurant chain turned a copy of the tape over to the Morrow Police Department. The victim's attorney considers the video a critical piece of evidence in the case.
"I don't understand why Cracker Barrel refuses to cooperate with the victim after they have stated adamantly that they condemned the act and want to help her," Jones said. "It's unfortunate that we have to resort to a court filing on this matter."
Jones said that he hopes to receive the video by early next week, at which time he will distribute copies to the media.
"I think it's important that the public be able to see the incident for themselves, as it really happened," Jones said. "That should clear any confusion about the situation."
Troy Dale West Jr. beat Hill inside the restaurant in front of her 7-year-old daughter after West nearly hit Hill's daughter opening a door, the police report stated. West, a 47-year-old white male, shouted racial slurs at Hill during the violent assault, the report added.
West has been charged with simple battery, cruelty to children and disorderly conduct, and the FBI said it is investigating the incident as a hate crime.
Jones Legal Practice P.C. will make the tape available to the media as soon as it is made available.
