Hearing scheduled in Nashville disabled man's beating

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Thursday morning in the case of a caregiver accused of assaulting an intellectual disabled man.

Nnanyelu Nnodu, 33, has been charged with assaulting Prince Bradley, 24, last September in an incident captured on a cellphone video obtained by The Tennessean.

Nnodu was a full-time caregiver for two years for Bradley, who has a severe form of autism, is almost completely non-verbal and requires 24-hour care. Nnodu was arrested the day of the incident and subsequently fired from his job.

A cellphone video captured the September beating. In a span of about 15 seconds, the video shows a man striking Bradley repeatedly as Bradley cowers and backs away. The first two blows landed on the back of Bradley's head. The next two are slaps to Bradley's face. The video cuts to the floor just as the man raises his arm for a fifth blow.

Jamar Wilson, a second caretaker on duty to care for Bradley, captured the incident on his cellphone. Wilson said the beating did not stop after the tape ended. "He just kept on for a couple more seconds," Wilson told The Tennessean last month. "It was at least a couple more times. I though he seen me so I ducked down to hide. Prince was trying to get away. He was hurt."

Tomorrow's preliminary hearing before Judge Michael Mondelli in Nashville criminal court is expected to include testimony from witnesses to determine probable cause, a step before determining whether the case will be set for trial.

Nnodu's attorney, Richard McGee, was not immediately available for comment.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also launched its own investigation into the incident.

Law enforcement officials are also investigating other injuries suffered by Bradley on March 4 — a laceration behind his ear requiring three stitches. He has also had scratches on his back, his foot and his side, according to DIDD. Then, on March 6, Bradley suffered a black eye from unknown causes.

The TBI also launched a separate inquiry into a theft in which Bradley was a victim on Feb. 19 — months after Nnodu was fired and no longer in the home. TBI provided no further details, but on Feb. 15, the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities reported that $60 was missing from Bradley's home.

Bradley lives in his own rented home, and receives service from Support Solutions of the Mid-South, a private agency that contracts with the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to provide care to people with intellectual disabilities, defined as an IQ of 70 or less. Bradley has hurt himself and others in the past.

Reach Anita Wadhwani at 615-259-8092 or on Twitter @AnitaWadhwani.