TALLADEGA COUNTY A Talladega County Grand Jury has indicted an Alexander City police officer on two counts of felony assault stemming from an incident with a fan at the fall race, according to Talladega County District Attorney Steve Giddens.Mitchell Ray, 35, was indicted Tuesday for assault in the first degree and assault in the second degree. He turned himself in, in Alexander City Wednesday. Giddens said he did not know when Ray might be arraigned.
The alleged assault occurred Sunday night, Oct. 7, at one of the campgrounds at the Talladega Superspeedway, where Ray was working security. At about 8 p.m., he became involved in an altercation of some sort with Michael Debackey, a race fan in his 40s.
Ray allegedly beat Debackey with a collapsible baton and kicked him several times, Giddens said.
Debackey was transported to the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital for treatment of injuries to his head, chest, back and one arm. He was released and then readmitted the following day.
Ray was in the process of posting the $10,000 bond on the indictment Wednesday afternoon.
The designated spokesman for the Alexander City Police Department could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Assault in the first degree is a class B felony, punishable upon conviction by two to 20 years in prison. Assault in the second degree is a class C felony, punishable upon conviction by one year and one day to 10 years in prison.
