Two years ago, 37-year-old Tremar Harris was a pre-trial detainee in solitary confinement at the Appling County jail in Brunswick, Georgia. Now, Harris has filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court against three correctional officers, one of whom can be seen in surveillance video wrapping a chain around his neck while he was in custody.
According to CNN, Tremar Harris’ suit alleges Officer William Rentz placed “the chain of an unused leg restraint” across Harris’ throat while he was restrained in a chair, which the video clearly shows, and that Rentz “pulled the chain” against Harris’ throat and “strangled” him for a few seconds before letting go. Rentz was fired after the incident and is currently facing criminal charges of violation of oath of office and battery. He is also the defendant in a separate lawsuit filed by Harris’ attorneys in January. As for the other three corrections officers named in the latest suit, they’re accused of doing nothing while their colleague tortured a Black inmate.
