Des Moines police officers left fourteen marks on Octavius Bonds' back with batons after a traffic stop in September. Police say they had no choice but to use force, but Bonds and his passenger claim it was police brutality.
Now the officers responsible have been taken off duty.
The two officers have been put on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues into their conduct at the traffic stop. Last month, Octavius Bonds and Erin Evans were found not guilty of provoking police during the September traffic stop. The officers are off duty after investigators found inconsistencies in their stories.
Defense attorney Peter Berger told Channel 13 that his clients have been cooperative with police during this investigation, and says he is glad to see something is finally being done about an inappropriate use of force.
"Erin Evans did pull over to the left lane, it just wasn't fast enough. So over a suspected traffic violation, these people were hurt permanently and here we are," Berger said.
According to testimony, on September 13, officers John Mailender and Mersed Dautovic hit Bonds with batons fourteen times in the head, back, arms and legs. The department says one reason it has taken over six months to take any sort of action is that Evans and Bonds would not agree to an interview at department headquarters.
Berger says his clients have provided the department with sworn statements and testimony in open court, and that the department had more than enough to take action much earlier.
"We've cooperated, and they've both been diagnosed with emotional injuries, severe emotional injuries from what happened to them and that would be the last place they should go down and be interviewed again by police officers," Berger said.
The Des Moines Police Department told Channel 13 Monday that their internal investigation continues and more departmental action against the officers is possible.
_________________
Now the officers responsible have been taken off duty.
The two officers have been put on paid administrative leave as an investigation continues into their conduct at the traffic stop. Last month, Octavius Bonds and Erin Evans were found not guilty of provoking police during the September traffic stop. The officers are off duty after investigators found inconsistencies in their stories.
Defense attorney Peter Berger told Channel 13 that his clients have been cooperative with police during this investigation, and says he is glad to see something is finally being done about an inappropriate use of force.
"Erin Evans did pull over to the left lane, it just wasn't fast enough. So over a suspected traffic violation, these people were hurt permanently and here we are," Berger said.
According to testimony, on September 13, officers John Mailender and Mersed Dautovic hit Bonds with batons fourteen times in the head, back, arms and legs. The department says one reason it has taken over six months to take any sort of action is that Evans and Bonds would not agree to an interview at department headquarters.
Berger says his clients have provided the department with sworn statements and testimony in open court, and that the department had more than enough to take action much earlier.
"We've cooperated, and they've both been diagnosed with emotional injuries, severe emotional injuries from what happened to them and that would be the last place they should go down and be interviewed again by police officers," Berger said.
The Des Moines Police Department told Channel 13 Monday that their internal investigation continues and more departmental action against the officers is possible.
_________________
Other Information: http://www.kcci.com/news/19110374/detail.html
No comments:
Post a Comment