Video Of Deadly Attack On Grady County Inmate Released

The video of a deadly attack behind bars is released to the public.

The jail recording proved to be a critical piece of evidence in the state's case against one of six federal inmates charged with murder of a federally convicted drug trafficker.

Anthony Mollman died in federal custody in the Grady County Jail. Prosecutors showed a recording from the jail during the first of what will be a series of preliminary hearings.

Cody Sitlington is the first defendant to appear before the judge.

"Each case and each person's involvement is unique," Grady County Assistant District Attorney Leah Edwards said.

Edwards explained the events from May 17, 2012 when Mollman died in a jail cell. Jail guards eventually found Mollman, a federally convicted drug trafficker and potential government witness, dead, but not before six federal inmates appeared on camera allegedly taking part in the crime.

"In this case we are in the unique position to have a video of the events, "Edwards said.

Edwards said they charged six federal inmates Cody Sitlington, Grant Curry, Matthew Jackson, Joseph Hill, Jerry Gonzales and Steven Nidey with murder but say Sitlington is one of the primary attackers.

"Although much of what went on is obscured by the shutting of doors we still have a clearer picture of how the incident occurred and who the major players were," Edwards said.

The video depicts a struggle occurs between three inmates in front of an upstairs jail cell. Investigators say one of them is Sitlington. When Mollman apparently gets away, he collapses. Moments later, the video shows inmates drag him into a jail cell and then attempting to clean up the mess.

Prosecutors point out Sitlington and Mollman are behind closed doors for several minutes before Sitlington emerges and gives what appears to be a fist bump to another inmate.

The judge bound Sitlington over for trial. He is due back in court on February 19, 2013.

Preliminary hearings for the other five defendants will take place over the course of the next three weeks. Meanwhile, prosecutors say several state agencies are investigating issues tied to Mollman's death.