SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy accused of beating a man last summer is now out of a job.
When speaking to Kevin Hinton's attorneys about the termination of Sergeant Clay Hilton from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, they said it was about time.
A peaceful evening at Terrace View Park in Spokane Valley Tuesday night was far different compared to last August when Hinton left the park bloody and beaten.
Now, more than a year later, Hilton faces assault and false swearing charges.
On Tuesday, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office announced the termination of Hilton from the agency.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said he met with Hilton and his lawyer to address the incident after they finalized the internal investigation.
"After reviewing the internal investigation, I believe it clearly showed some members of the Sheriff's Office, including supervisors, did not live up to the standards of conduct of the Sheriff's Office during and after this incident," Nowels said on Tuesday.
"I can say it's about time," Tim Note, one of the attorneys representing Hinton, said. "I know one of Mr. Hinton's biggest frustrations throughout this entire last 13 months is this guy still getting paid."
While Note says his client's injuries healed over the last year, the mental trauma remained.
"Now knowing that he's actually been terminated, I think that will help his mental recovery," Note said.
Note remains skeptical about the reported policy changes.
"What I'm wondering is [if] there are actual, real changes, or if, you know, they're adding a level of buffer between accountability and the elected sheriff," Note said.
Hilton's arraignment is set for late September.
Hinton's attorney also recently filed a lawsuit against Hilton, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the City of Spokane Valley. Note says they are still waiting to see if the Department of Justice will take an interest in the case.