Cracker Barrel Continues to Follow District Attorney's Direction Regarding Evidence in Georgia Assault Case

Press Release

Source: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

On Tuesday September 22, 2009, 5:49 pm EDT

ATLANTA, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. ("Cracker Barrel") will continue its cooperation with law enforcement departments that are investigating a September 9th assault that occurred in the entrance at one of its Georgia locations. The Company understands that the victim is pursuing litigation against the man charged in the incident. Cracker Barrel will continue to cooperate with the district attorney who will represent the victim, and the state of Georgia, in the criminal case. The district attorney has asked Cracker Barrel not to release surveillance video of the incident. In numerous public statements, Cracker Barrel has described the assault as reprehensible and wants justice to be served quickly.

Cracker Barrel has and will continue to work closely with law enforcement officials who are investigating and prosecuting this case. The Clayton County District Attorney has asked Cracker Barrel not to release the surveillance video to the media. As this surveillance video can and will likely be introduced as evidence in the criminal investigation that will bring justice for the victim, Cracker Barrel believes that all parties should comply with the DA's request.

Company policy allows the release of surveillance video only to law enforcement officials and as required by law. The company immediately gave police significant evidence by providing them with the surveillance video, and will provide that to any other law enforcement agencies involved in the case. Cracker Barrel's actions support the integrity of the legal investigation and will help ensure that justice is served properly. Justice is what we all want.

Please know that as soon as the incident became apparent, Cracker Barrel immediately came to Ms. Hill's aid and called the police. The man who was charged with this incident has been banned from ever visiting any Cracker Barrel location again.

Cracker Barrel is a restaurant and retail company, pure and simple. This incident has nothing to do with Cracker Barrel and we want a speedy resolution that delivers justice.

I would have bet that tape would be on You Tube by now - much like other stuff. It seems the case wouldn't suffer it was released. After all, what's done is done and what's recorded can't be changed (I hope).

Just curious................

2 days later...I found this...

Cracker Barrel says no go – yet on hate-crime video release

By Tri-State Defender Newsroom | Published 09/24/2009 | News | Unrated

Cracker Barrel says no go – yet on hate-crime video release

ATLANTA (PRNewswire) – 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.

Tasha Hill

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.

What gives?

RE#423,

The reason that the DA doesn't want the video released, is the chance that the video would increase speculation about the case thereby tainting the pool of prospective jurors. The reason her lawyer, in the lawsuit wants it released to the media, is so he can get the public behind her and increase any damages awarded in a lawsuit. He could care less about the governments case, or the criminal trial that will take place, probably before the civil trial.

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

On the way to 500............

perhaps 5000.

fret

^

All true.

Add to that the fact that Cracker Barrel wants to limit its liability exposure, if any.

Sure seems to me that Cracker Barrel is acting responsibly towards all involved.

Also seems Cracker Barrels interpretation of whatever transpired, and is shown on its surveillance tape, is that the woman was the victim.

... why hasn't West been allowed to post bond?

... Georgia does not have a hate-crime law and is basically only charged with simple assault ...

... I've seen people on trial for murder posting bond - so why is this guy being treated otherwise? Sounds to me like they are treating him more harshly only because she is black and he's a white male - and the media has certainly blown this out of proportion ...

^

His bond was greater then the elder terrorist arrested (and then released on a small bond) in NY a few weeks ago.

Can you believe that?? A guy accused of helping his son in the "operational" stage of a terrorist plot on US soil.

Bond/bail is determined on a case by case basis and could very well vary from judge to judge, county to county, state to state and state to federal.

There are many factors considered in the amount of bond/bail. such as, but not limited to: likelihood of staying within the jurisdiction; the likelihood that the crime alleged will be repeated/public protection; seriousness of the crime; quantum of pre-trial evidence as to guilt; prior record and history of appearing in court when required...

It's an outrage!

I heard the Army is going to charge Hill with assault. Apparently she was hitting the poor innocent mans hands with her face and now he is suffering with carpel tunnel syndrome.

In honor of this thread, I ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel this morning. I got the "Old Timer's" breakfast...Two eggs cooked to order (over medium for me) with Grits, Sawmill Gravy, Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits, real Butter and the best Preserves, Jam n’ Apple Butter (on request) they could find...plus, I chose the hashbrown casserole over the fried apples (the apples are good btw)...and I chose the sausage patties (because CB doesn't offer links, but patties are good to). There were no young children coming in as I was walking out. That is because it is a school day, and they should be in school anyways. Maybe that's something to consider in the case of the Cracker Barrel Beatdown. Should the child have been in school?

Not in the evening.

I'm just trying to justify the beating, that's all... LOL