Man assaulted with 2x4 in spat over snoring in downtown Athens

Brandon Douglas Hall

By Joe Johnson

A homeless man was arrested for assaulting another man who asked him to stop snoring on a downtown street corner.

The incident happened on the morning of July 20th on College Avenue at East Clayton Street where the men had been sleeping.

Joel Heaton told police that he went over to another bench and woke up 42-year-old Brandon Hall to ask him to stop snoring, he became upset and spit on the other man before leaving the area.

Hall reportedly later returned and assaulted Heaton from behind with a 2x4 piece of wood.

Police confirmed the story by watching the assault on surveillance camera footage that they said showed Hall striking the victim’s head and back with the 2x4 and then punching him repeatedly.

Hall was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and simple battery,

As of Thursday morning he remained at the county jail awaiting a bail hearing that is scheduled for August 20th.