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Attorney says client was severely beaten in Cobb jail

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Some Cobb County jail inmates are facing more time behind bars after being charged jailhouse gang beating designed to keep another inmate from testifying at trial.

“Well I was real surprised. He didn't look good and I asked right away what happened,” said attorney David Haskin.

Haskin told Channel 2’s Ross Cavitt he saw his client in court three days ago and it was clear he'd been beaten up. Both eyes were swollen and Tedrick Stallworth was in pain.

Arrest warrants Channel 2 Action News uncovered showed Stallworth was beaten in Cobb County Jail's Pod A. It wasn’t in a fight with another inmate, but in an attack by nine others, all allegedly part of the same gang. The reason for the attack was to intimidate Stallworth and dissuade the victim from testifying against Larry Donnell Stallworth in an upcoming trial.

“My client is very concerned right now for his safety and is concerned about testifying if he's called to testify,” Haskin said.

Haskin said his client expressed worry even before the jailhouse attack. The attorney fired off a letter to judge Jim Bodiford who then contacted jail officials about the situation. All nine inmates involved now face multiple charges for the attack. And Haskin hopes his client will be kept far away from the other nine.

“Well, I hope they separate him by pods and hope they separate him from Larry in this thing and I hope they watch closely for his safety,” Haskin said.