NC police dept. investigating beating complaints

BRYSON CITY, N.C. — The Bryson City police chief says he is looking into allegations that an officer beat a man being taken into custody.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Thursday that more than a dozen restaurant patrons saw 25-year-old Jacob Grant getting beaten. Some recorded it on cell phone cameras.

Chief Rick Tabor told the newspaper that officer Leon Allen was taking Grant into custody on an involuntary commitment order. Witnesses say Grant refused to get into the patrol car and walked away.

Grant’s father, Raleigh Grant, told the newspaper he had the order issued for his schizophrenic son because he needed help getting back on his medication.

He said authorities took his son to the hospital Tuesday for treatment.

At least eight witnesses filed complaints and Grant said he planned to as well.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)