Man who claimed racial bias is no-show in court

A man, who claimed he was a target of racial bias by a black officer during an event at Rock Hill’s BMX track, did not show for court Monday and was found guilty, according to police and court records.

Billy Peyton was charged with disorderly conducrt April 1 by an off-duty sergeant at the 2017 USA National Series event. Peyton had been accused of cursing in front of children and at the officer, and yelling at the officer, said Rock Hill police Capt. Mark Bollinger.

Peyton was told he was not allowed to load or unload items near the entrance to the track in a no-loading zone, Bollinger said.

A police report stated that Peyton claimed he was chosen for arrest “because we’re white.”

Bollinger said there was no racial bias, and the officer acted fairly and made several attempts to calm the situation.

“He started getting really mouthy and cussing,” Bollinger said of Peyton. “He started making racial accusations at the officer.”

Peyton alleged racial bias when arrested, but no complaint of bias was made to the department, Bollinger said.

Peyton paid a $260 bond to get out of jail after his arrest. That bond was converted to a fine because Peyton was tried Monday, despite being absent, and was found guilty, according to police and the clerk’s office for the Rock Hill Municipal Court.

This story was originally published May 18, 2017 at 5:54 AM with the headline "Man who claimed racial bias is no-show in court."