A South Carolina man accused of dragging two sheriff’s officers hanging onto his vehicle after a traffic pursuit was granted a $35,000 bond Monday, March 21.
Michael Freeman, 34, has pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to charges that include two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. He has been held without bond since his arrest last summer.
A Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy tried to stop Freeman initially, and a Richmond County Sheriff deputy joined in the pursuit when Freeman crossed the county line on June 1. Freeman did eventually pull his vehicle to a stop, but then he tried to restart the vehicle and flee, and that’s when the two officers reached inside the car trying to grab the keys, said Assistant District Attorney Kevin Davis.
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The officers were dragged about 15 feet before they were able to push off safely, Davis said. While neither suffered life-threatening injuries, they were hurt, Davis said. Freeman allegedly fled down Stevens Creek to Washington Road and down to Broad Street, when he then fled on foot and was stopped by an officer, Davis said.
Freeman has a prior conviction in 2009 for assault on an officer, Davis said.
Defense attorney Katrell Nash asked Judge Amanda Heath to consider bond for Freeman whose family will ensure he attends all court hearings and follows any rules the judge might set as bond conditions.
Heath granted Freeman the $35,000 bond with house arrest and electronic monitoring.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
