5 Georgia Officers Indicted for Murder Over 2019 Arrest Death

Five Georgia police officers who were indicted for murder over the arrest death of Fernando Rodriguez turned themselves in Monday. Each posted a $100,000 bond and was released.

Henry County police officers Robert Butera and Quinton Phillips and Hampton officers Mason Lewis, Marcus Stroud and Gregory Bowlden are charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and violation of oath by public officer. The men are accused of killing Rodriguez, 24, in September 2019 by asphyxiation, Henry Herald reports.

Rodriguez was found by Hampton police on Sept. 20, 2019 walking nude near the Atlanta Motor Speedway after leaving the Imagine Festival at the speedway. Henry County officers were called to the scene to serve as back up.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Rodriguez was tasered by officers more than 12 times from both departments and began exhibiting signs of medical distress after he was subdued. He died in the hospital on Sept. 23, 2019.

“The medical examiner ruled that Fernando’s death was a homicide and found the cause to be asphyxia due to physical restraint in the prone position with compression of the chest.”