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The Latest: Lawyer: Police Tried to Cover Up Excessive Force

The Latest on a lawsuit filed by a former college football player over his arrest outside Atlanta (all times local):

1 p.m.

Lawyers for a former college football player say police and elected officials in a Georgia county tried to cover up excessive force used by officers during his arrest last year.

Henry County police arrested Desmond Marrow on Dec. 2 while responding to reports of a road rage situation. Video of the arrest that circulated widely online in April showed officers forcefully taking a handcuffed Marrow to the ground.

Henry County police Chief Mark Amerman in May fired Officer David Rose, saying an internal investigation determined the officer used unnecessary force and purposely left information out of his report.

Lawyers for Marrow filed a lawsuit Monday in Henry County State Court. They say an initial police internal investigation in December cleared the officers of wrongdoing. They say that only after the arrest video went viral was a proper investigation done.

Henry County officials didn’t respond Monday to phone and email messages seeking comment.

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10:50 a.m.

A prosecutor in Georgia has filed charges against a former college football player whose arrest was caught on a widely circulated video.

Henry County Solicitor General Pam Bettis filed charges on Thursday against Desmond Marrow. He faces charges of obstruction of officers, reckless driving, aggressive driving, and disorderly conduct.

Marrow’s attorneys said in an email that the charges are an attempt to silence Marrow and his legal team.

Marrow was arrested Dec. 2 after police were called to a shopping center parking lot for reports of an alleged road rage situation. Video of the arrest showed officers forcefully taking a handcuffed Marrow to the ground.

Henry County police Chief Mark Amerman in May fired one of the officers, saying an internal investigation determined the officer used unnecessary force.