Georgia Jail Incident: Officer Charged After Choking Black Inmate with Chain

A lawsuit alleges a former officer in Georgia choked a Black inmate with a chain while other officers watched, sparking legal and criminal actions.

Tremar Harris, a Black inmate, was choked with a chain by former officer William Rentz while restrained in a chair at Appling County Jail.
The incident, captured on video, occurred in January 2022 and lasted about four seconds.
Rentz, who has been fired and charged with multiple offenses, allegedly made a racist remark during the assault.
Three other officers present during the incident are accused of failing to intervene and are also named in a federal lawsuit.
The lawsuits seek damages for violations of civil rights, and the case has raised significant concerns about conduct and accountability in the jail.