Tisdale Motions Hearing Enters Second Day

News

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — The pretrial motions hearing in the case of Georgia vs. Nydia Tisdale on charges of criminal trespass and obstruction of an officer will continue for a second day Wednesday in Dawson County Superior Court starting at noon.

Tisdale, who describes herself as a citizen journalist, was arrested in Aug. 2014 when she refused to stop filming a political rally involving many of the state’s top Republican leaders at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawson County. She is charged with fighting with the arresting officer, Captain Tony Wooten, formerly with the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office.

In Tuesday  testimony, Tisdale said the rally was open to the public and that she obtained permission from Kathy Burt, who along with her husband Johnny Burt owns Burt’s Farm, to film the proceedings.

Cathy Burt testified that Tisdale misled her. “She told me she was there to film for the governor,” Burt said. “She misrepresented herself.” Burt also said when the event organizer, attorney Clint Bearden, told her that the governor had some concerns about her filming the event, “We asked her to quit.”

Bearden said, Tisdale was first approached by the late Mack Burgess, a Republican Party official, and asked to stop filming and she refused. Next, he said, he and Wooten asked her to stop filming but she refused again.

“She told me to talk to Mrs. Burt and I told her I had just come from Mrs. Burt and she doesn’t want you here,” Bearden said. When she refused again, Wooten attempted to escort her from the facility. “That’s when all hell broke loose,” Bearden testified. “She began flailing her arms and legs and still had the camera in her hand.”

Tisdale claims she did not know that Wooten was a law enforcement officer. With her video camera still recording, you can hear Tisdale screaming, “Who are you sir. Please identify yourself.”

Next, Tisdale said, “In a very hostile and aggressive voice,” (Wooten) told me you’re leaving now. He grabbed my hand and lifted me from my chair and pushed me out of the rally.”

Asked by her attorney Bruce Harvey if she was fighting, kicking or elbowing Wooten, she said no. “I wasn’t resisting. I was trying to free myself.”

She said Wooten then led her to the barn area and to leaned her over one of the checkout counters and identified himself. The camera, still recording, shows Wooten telling her, “You resisted me in my lawful duties and now you’re going to jail.”

Leave a comment

Back to Top