NEWAYGO COUNTY
A county jail corrections officer accused of having sexual contact with an inmate will stand trial on three sexual assault charges.
Craig William Bird, 51, waived his right to a probable cause hearing Thursday in Newaygo County District Court.
Bird is charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Sheriffs officials have not released details of the allegations against Bird.
A judge lowered his bond Thursday from $50,000 to $10,000, with Bird required to pay 10 percent.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Former Chief Jose Luis Vela Acquitted on Sexual Assault
EDINBURG, Texas
A former South Texas police chief was acquitted Friday on charges alleging he sexually assaulted one of his officers after a drunken party at his house.
Jurors deliberated about two hours Friday before acquitting Jose Luis Vela, 44, the Alton police chief in 2006, on sexual assault charges. He had been accused of performing oral sex on an officer who had passed out drunk at his house. Vela testified that the sex was consensual, and that he had an ongoing sexual relationship with the officer.
Vela won't get much time to enjoy the victory because District Judge Letty Lopez scheduled his next trial on a separate sexual assault charge to begin Monday. The victim of the other alleged sexual assault testified in the first trial that he woke up face down and naked in Vela's bed after getting drunk at a party. Vela said that was also a consensual encounter.
"We basically tried that case, and now we're going to try it again," said Luis Singleterry, Vela's attorney.
After Friday's verdict, Vela said the trial had been difficult and he would not be returning to police work.
"I have no intention of getting back into it," he said. "I'm ready for something else."
During closing arguments, prosecutor Hope Palacios told jurors the officer would not have publicly testified on the embarrassing event if it were consensual.
"Rape is an ugly word," Palacios said. "It's not what we expect to hear from the mouth of a man. It's definitely not what we expect to hear from the mouth of a police officer."
Singleterry tried to convince jurors that his client was the victim of a conspiracy arranged by another employee and her ex-husband, who investigated the case for the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.
Singleterry said the alleged victim and two others who testified about other alleged assaults were motivated by money they could win from a civil lawsuit. He pointed out that they only told their stories after they were approached by Hidalgo County Sheriff's investigator Raul Cantu, whose ex-wife worked at the Alton Police Department.
But Palacios dismissed that idea.
"Is there any amount of money in the world that would make a man do something like that?" she said.
Palacios painted the image of an unprofessional police chief who partied with his employees even while they were on the clock. She accused Vela of manipulating poorly qualified officers willing to work for minimum wage.
"He surrounded himself with officers who couldn't get jobs at reputable agencies," Palacios said. "And he preyed upon them."
Vela also faces a charge of stealing a firearm last year. He is accused of taking a pistol from the department's evidence locker while he was still police chief. At the time of his arrest on that charge, investigators found a Colt .357 Magnum stolen from a Missouri man in 1988 and recovered by police in 1993 in Vela's home.
Accusations of bad record keeping and stealing confiscated alcohol ultimately cost Vela his job in September 2007.
Alton is a town of about 4,400 residents located 10 miles north of the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley.
A former South Texas police chief was acquitted Friday on charges alleging he sexually assaulted one of his officers after a drunken party at his house.
Jurors deliberated about two hours Friday before acquitting Jose Luis Vela, 44, the Alton police chief in 2006, on sexual assault charges. He had been accused of performing oral sex on an officer who had passed out drunk at his house. Vela testified that the sex was consensual, and that he had an ongoing sexual relationship with the officer.
Vela won't get much time to enjoy the victory because District Judge Letty Lopez scheduled his next trial on a separate sexual assault charge to begin Monday. The victim of the other alleged sexual assault testified in the first trial that he woke up face down and naked in Vela's bed after getting drunk at a party. Vela said that was also a consensual encounter.
"We basically tried that case, and now we're going to try it again," said Luis Singleterry, Vela's attorney.
After Friday's verdict, Vela said the trial had been difficult and he would not be returning to police work.
"I have no intention of getting back into it," he said. "I'm ready for something else."
During closing arguments, prosecutor Hope Palacios told jurors the officer would not have publicly testified on the embarrassing event if it were consensual.
"Rape is an ugly word," Palacios said. "It's not what we expect to hear from the mouth of a man. It's definitely not what we expect to hear from the mouth of a police officer."
Singleterry tried to convince jurors that his client was the victim of a conspiracy arranged by another employee and her ex-husband, who investigated the case for the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office.
Singleterry said the alleged victim and two others who testified about other alleged assaults were motivated by money they could win from a civil lawsuit. He pointed out that they only told their stories after they were approached by Hidalgo County Sheriff's investigator Raul Cantu, whose ex-wife worked at the Alton Police Department.
But Palacios dismissed that idea.
"Is there any amount of money in the world that would make a man do something like that?" she said.
Palacios painted the image of an unprofessional police chief who partied with his employees even while they were on the clock. She accused Vela of manipulating poorly qualified officers willing to work for minimum wage.
"He surrounded himself with officers who couldn't get jobs at reputable agencies," Palacios said. "And he preyed upon them."
Vela also faces a charge of stealing a firearm last year. He is accused of taking a pistol from the department's evidence locker while he was still police chief. At the time of his arrest on that charge, investigators found a Colt .357 Magnum stolen from a Missouri man in 1988 and recovered by police in 1993 in Vela's home.
Accusations of bad record keeping and stealing confiscated alcohol ultimately cost Vela his job in September 2007.
Alton is a town of about 4,400 residents located 10 miles north of the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley.
Trooper Steven Spoonire and Wife Request Jury Trials on Marijuana Charges
A Maryland State Police trooper and his wife have requested jury trials on marijuana charges.
Suspended Trooper Steven Spoonire and Jennifer Lynn Frazier were arrested in August by police who said they found a foot-tall marijuana plant growing outside the back door of the couple's Woodsboro home.
Investigators said they also found pipes and rolling papers inside the residence.
The 36-year-old trooper and his 27-year-old wife both face misdemeanor charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Suspended Trooper Steven Spoonire and Jennifer Lynn Frazier were arrested in August by police who said they found a foot-tall marijuana plant growing outside the back door of the couple's Woodsboro home.
Investigators said they also found pipes and rolling papers inside the residence.
The 36-year-old trooper and his 27-year-old wife both face misdemeanor charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Officer Frank White to Stand Trial for Shooting Mother and Son
After a dramatic day of testimony yesterday, a judge ordered a San Diego police officer to stand trial for shooting a mother and her son in an Oceanside parking lot at the culmination of an apparent road rage incident in March.
“I think we expect more from our officers than the conduct that was displayed here,” Judge Joel Pressman said at the end of a nearly daylong preliminary hearing in Vista Superior Court.
Officer Frank White, 28, is charged with one felony count of grossly negligent discharge of a firearm and one misdemeanor count of exhibiting a firearm. He faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.
The District Attorney's Office decided to charge White in July. It marked the first time in 13 years that a county law enforcement officer – on or off duty – had been charged for shooting someone while acting under the color of authority.
Authorities say Rachel Silva, 28, cut off and aggressively followed White, who was off-duty, and his wife into a Lowe's parking lot March 15, while revving her engine and yelling at them. After she pulled in front of them in the lot, she backed up toward their car.
Her right mirror hit White's left mirror, and he fired his first shot through the window of his Mercury Milan into the passenger window of her Honda Accord. Silva's son, then 8, was in the passenger seat and was struck in the left leg.
As Silva continued in reverse, the right front of her car hit the left rear of White's car. He shot four more bullets from his .38-caliber revolver through her windshield. She was struck twice in the right arm.
Silva's son, with his father by his side, teared up in court yesterday as he recalled the shooting.
He testified that his mother was upset when she picked him up at a friend's house and later when she followed the car into the parking lot. “My mom was mad at him,” he said. “She was yelling.” In the parking lot, the boy said, he saw a person in the other car pointing a gun at him.
The boy testified that he curled up in his seat when he saw the gun, putting his legs near his face. He said he told his mother, “Momma, he has a gun,” and she called 911.
Later in the hearing, prosecutors played tapes of 911 calls made by Silva and White's wife, Jacquellyn, who is a Carlsbad police dispatcher.
On the call made by Silva, she says, “There's a guy who's pulling a gun on me.” After the shooting, she says it is “some guy, a policeman.” Screams are heard throughout the tape. At one point, Silva tells her son, who sounds hysterical, “Stop! You're OK! You're OK!”
Authorities say Silva had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and was driving on a suspended license. She faces charges in connection with the incident. She was subpoenaed to appear at White's hearing yesterday, but she asserted her Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and didn't testify.
On Jacquellyn White's 911 call, she tells a dispatcher that a silver Honda is “road raging” them, and they don't know why. After the shooting, she tells the dispatcher that her husband has fired his gun.
“Did he hit anybody?” the dispatcher asks.
“I don't know if he hit her,” White's wife responds. She soon says that the other driver has a child in the car.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys agree that White didn't see the child when he opened fire. The car's side windows were tinted, with a darker tint on the rear windows.
On the 911 call made by Jacquellyn White, her husband can be heard after the shooting yelling, “Turn the car off!” and “Police!”
Prosecutor Julie Korsmeyer said the District Attorney's Office “carefully” charged White. “We have someone who overreacted violently in this case.”
White's attorney, Rick Pinckard, said the couple didn't do anything to provoke the confrontation, and Silva assaulted them with her car. “This was clearly a case of self-defense,” Pinckard said.
The state Attorney General's Office has charged Silva with felony child endangerment and five misdemeanors, including drunken driving and driving on a suspended license. Her trial is set for Nov. 18.
“I think we expect more from our officers than the conduct that was displayed here,” Judge Joel Pressman said at the end of a nearly daylong preliminary hearing in Vista Superior Court.
Officer Frank White, 28, is charged with one felony count of grossly negligent discharge of a firearm and one misdemeanor count of exhibiting a firearm. He faces up to nine years in prison if convicted.
The District Attorney's Office decided to charge White in July. It marked the first time in 13 years that a county law enforcement officer – on or off duty – had been charged for shooting someone while acting under the color of authority.
Authorities say Rachel Silva, 28, cut off and aggressively followed White, who was off-duty, and his wife into a Lowe's parking lot March 15, while revving her engine and yelling at them. After she pulled in front of them in the lot, she backed up toward their car.
Her right mirror hit White's left mirror, and he fired his first shot through the window of his Mercury Milan into the passenger window of her Honda Accord. Silva's son, then 8, was in the passenger seat and was struck in the left leg.
As Silva continued in reverse, the right front of her car hit the left rear of White's car. He shot four more bullets from his .38-caliber revolver through her windshield. She was struck twice in the right arm.
Silva's son, with his father by his side, teared up in court yesterday as he recalled the shooting.
He testified that his mother was upset when she picked him up at a friend's house and later when she followed the car into the parking lot. “My mom was mad at him,” he said. “She was yelling.” In the parking lot, the boy said, he saw a person in the other car pointing a gun at him.
The boy testified that he curled up in his seat when he saw the gun, putting his legs near his face. He said he told his mother, “Momma, he has a gun,” and she called 911.
Later in the hearing, prosecutors played tapes of 911 calls made by Silva and White's wife, Jacquellyn, who is a Carlsbad police dispatcher.
On the call made by Silva, she says, “There's a guy who's pulling a gun on me.” After the shooting, she says it is “some guy, a policeman.” Screams are heard throughout the tape. At one point, Silva tells her son, who sounds hysterical, “Stop! You're OK! You're OK!”
Authorities say Silva had a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and was driving on a suspended license. She faces charges in connection with the incident. She was subpoenaed to appear at White's hearing yesterday, but she asserted her Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and didn't testify.
On Jacquellyn White's 911 call, she tells a dispatcher that a silver Honda is “road raging” them, and they don't know why. After the shooting, she tells the dispatcher that her husband has fired his gun.
“Did he hit anybody?” the dispatcher asks.
“I don't know if he hit her,” White's wife responds. She soon says that the other driver has a child in the car.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys agree that White didn't see the child when he opened fire. The car's side windows were tinted, with a darker tint on the rear windows.
On the 911 call made by Jacquellyn White, her husband can be heard after the shooting yelling, “Turn the car off!” and “Police!”
Prosecutor Julie Korsmeyer said the District Attorney's Office “carefully” charged White. “We have someone who overreacted violently in this case.”
White's attorney, Rick Pinckard, said the couple didn't do anything to provoke the confrontation, and Silva assaulted them with her car. “This was clearly a case of self-defense,” Pinckard said.
The state Attorney General's Office has charged Silva with felony child endangerment and five misdemeanors, including drunken driving and driving on a suspended license. Her trial is set for Nov. 18.
Officer Leland Feldman Arrested for Domestic Violence
Steamboat Springs
A Steamboat Springs police officer has been suspended in the wake of his arrest on domestic violence charges Saturday.
Leland Craig Feldman, 43, was arrested Saturday by Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputies on suspicion of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge of third-degree assault. Feldman has been a patrol officer with the Steamboat Springs Police Department since March.
Feldman is suspended while the police department completes its internal investigation into the incident, which likely will take several weeks, Capt. Joel Rae said Wednesday.
“We cannot comment on the aspects of that investigation at this time,” Rae said.
Feldman did not return calls made to his home Wednesday.
The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is handling the criminal aspect of Feldman’s case.
Deputies responded to a report of a domestic dispute between Feldman and an unidentified female in Stagecoach on Saturday afternoon, which resulted in his arrest, Investigator Ken Klinger said. No significant injuries were reported, Klinger said.
Full details about the incident were not available Wednesday, as the investigation continues and the arresting officers have not yet filed their reports, Klinger said.
“I know that there was physical contact,” Klinger said. “It was enough that our guys, following their on-scene investigation, took him into custody.”
Conviction on the misdemeanor charge undoubtedly would result in Feldman’s termination.
“Anybody who is convicted of domestic violence in Colorado cannot possess a gun, and if you cannot possess a gun, you cannot be a police officer,” Rae said.
Feldman is due to appear in Routt County Court at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 18.
A Steamboat Springs police officer has been suspended in the wake of his arrest on domestic violence charges Saturday.
Leland Craig Feldman, 43, was arrested Saturday by Routt County Sheriff’s Office deputies on suspicion of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge of third-degree assault. Feldman has been a patrol officer with the Steamboat Springs Police Department since March.
Feldman is suspended while the police department completes its internal investigation into the incident, which likely will take several weeks, Capt. Joel Rae said Wednesday.
“We cannot comment on the aspects of that investigation at this time,” Rae said.
Feldman did not return calls made to his home Wednesday.
The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is handling the criminal aspect of Feldman’s case.
Deputies responded to a report of a domestic dispute between Feldman and an unidentified female in Stagecoach on Saturday afternoon, which resulted in his arrest, Investigator Ken Klinger said. No significant injuries were reported, Klinger said.
Full details about the incident were not available Wednesday, as the investigation continues and the arresting officers have not yet filed their reports, Klinger said.
“I know that there was physical contact,” Klinger said. “It was enough that our guys, following their on-scene investigation, took him into custody.”
Conviction on the misdemeanor charge undoubtedly would result in Feldman’s termination.
“Anybody who is convicted of domestic violence in Colorado cannot possess a gun, and if you cannot possess a gun, you cannot be a police officer,” Rae said.
Feldman is due to appear in Routt County Court at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 18.
Cpl Michael Pue Returns to Duty After Public Intoxication Arrest
A Maryland police officer charged with public intoxication at a Jimmy Buffett concert this summer paid a $92 fine and was returned to duty.
Cpl. Michael E. Pue, who works for the force in Frederick, Md., was off duty at the Nissan Pavilion concert with some friends when he was arrested on Aug. 31.
After the show, Pue returned to the parking lot to find the windows on his truck had been smashed and wires ripped from the dashboard, Frederick police Lt. Clark Pennington said.
Pue went to report the vandalism to a Prince William police officer and was then charged with public intoxication.
The charge is a class four misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $450. It is the lowest misdemeanor charge in the commonwealth.
Pennington said the vandals did about $5,000 worth of damage to the corporal’s truck.
After he was arrested, Prince William police asked Frederick police to come and pick up Pue. He was released that night on his own recognizance.
During an investigation by the Frederick department, the corporal was put on administrative leave for about two weeks.
Pennington said Prince William authorities did the right thing in arresting the off-duty officer and added his case was handled fairly.
“Corporal Pue did not get any less of a charge as anybody else, and his case was handled the same as any IT professional or fast food workers would be,” Pennington said.
Pue paid his $25 fine and $72 court cost on Friday.
He has been a member of the Frederick police department for more than 15 years.
Cpl. Michael E. Pue, who works for the force in Frederick, Md., was off duty at the Nissan Pavilion concert with some friends when he was arrested on Aug. 31.
After the show, Pue returned to the parking lot to find the windows on his truck had been smashed and wires ripped from the dashboard, Frederick police Lt. Clark Pennington said.
Pue went to report the vandalism to a Prince William police officer and was then charged with public intoxication.
The charge is a class four misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $450. It is the lowest misdemeanor charge in the commonwealth.
Pennington said the vandals did about $5,000 worth of damage to the corporal’s truck.
After he was arrested, Prince William police asked Frederick police to come and pick up Pue. He was released that night on his own recognizance.
During an investigation by the Frederick department, the corporal was put on administrative leave for about two weeks.
Pennington said Prince William authorities did the right thing in arresting the off-duty officer and added his case was handled fairly.
“Corporal Pue did not get any less of a charge as anybody else, and his case was handled the same as any IT professional or fast food workers would be,” Pennington said.
Pue paid his $25 fine and $72 court cost on Friday.
He has been a member of the Frederick police department for more than 15 years.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Deputy Ken Turner Accused of Obtaining Prescription Pills Illegally
SARASOTA COUNTY
A Sarasota sheriff's deputy quit his job and is under criminal investigation for doctor shopping after being accused of obtaining thousands of prescription pills from local physicians.
Deputy Ken Turner resigned last month in the midst of an internal affairs investigation. The inquiry, authorities say, showed that Turner went to 11 local doctors, obtained more than 1,700 pills and often visited pharmacies in his sheriff's uniform.
Legal observers say the allegations may jeopardize criminal cases worked by Turner, and local defense attorneys plan to review his role in several trials.
"We will look at all the cases that he was involved in," said Elliott Metcalfe, the public defender.
"Any time you have an instance of criminal behavior, of lying, of drug addiction, a witness's credibility comes into question," he said. "It's something we have to look into."
The number of cases that Turner would have been called to testify in as a witness was not immediately clear, but Sheriff's Office records show that he made at least four arrests in the four months he is accused of buying the drugs.
Three of those cases are still open.
"The sheriff is concerned and he will be talking to the State Attorney's Office," said Lt. Chuck Lesaltato, an agency spokesman.
Turner started at the Sheriff's Office in November 2001, briefly worked in the community policing division and was on patrol since June 2005. He made $50,000 a year.
Internal affairs records show that department officials were tipped off to potential drug use in August, when he had a doctor's appointment and was prescribed a powerful narcotic, oxycodone.
When Turner did not tell his supervisors about the prescription -- as is the practice in most police agencies -- investigators began to check out local pharmacies, looking for instances where the deputy was obtaining drugs.
They reportedly found that between July and September, Turner received 24 prescriptions and 1,737 pills. Lt. Mike Mercurio spoke with several local doctors, who said they did not know that other physicians were prescribing the pills.
Turner resigned Oct. 6. He could not be reached for comment.
A few days later, internal investigators turned over their findings to criminal detectives. A department spokesman said Monday that a criminal investigation was ongoing.
A Sarasota sheriff's deputy quit his job and is under criminal investigation for doctor shopping after being accused of obtaining thousands of prescription pills from local physicians.
Deputy Ken Turner resigned last month in the midst of an internal affairs investigation. The inquiry, authorities say, showed that Turner went to 11 local doctors, obtained more than 1,700 pills and often visited pharmacies in his sheriff's uniform.
Legal observers say the allegations may jeopardize criminal cases worked by Turner, and local defense attorneys plan to review his role in several trials.
"We will look at all the cases that he was involved in," said Elliott Metcalfe, the public defender.
"Any time you have an instance of criminal behavior, of lying, of drug addiction, a witness's credibility comes into question," he said. "It's something we have to look into."
The number of cases that Turner would have been called to testify in as a witness was not immediately clear, but Sheriff's Office records show that he made at least four arrests in the four months he is accused of buying the drugs.
Three of those cases are still open.
"The sheriff is concerned and he will be talking to the State Attorney's Office," said Lt. Chuck Lesaltato, an agency spokesman.
Turner started at the Sheriff's Office in November 2001, briefly worked in the community policing division and was on patrol since June 2005. He made $50,000 a year.
Internal affairs records show that department officials were tipped off to potential drug use in August, when he had a doctor's appointment and was prescribed a powerful narcotic, oxycodone.
When Turner did not tell his supervisors about the prescription -- as is the practice in most police agencies -- investigators began to check out local pharmacies, looking for instances where the deputy was obtaining drugs.
They reportedly found that between July and September, Turner received 24 prescriptions and 1,737 pills. Lt. Mike Mercurio spoke with several local doctors, who said they did not know that other physicians were prescribing the pills.
Turner resigned Oct. 6. He could not be reached for comment.
A few days later, internal investigators turned over their findings to criminal detectives. A department spokesman said Monday that a criminal investigation was ongoing.
Investigation Continues into Death of Woman at the Hand of the Police
Atlanta, the death of a 92-year-old woman at the hand of police has sparked yet another investigation.
While the federal probe is over and three former Atlanta police officers are serving time for crimes stemming from the botched drug raid that led to the Kathryn Johnston's death in November 2006, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington is creating a special task force to find out whether any other officers violated police procedures related to the drug raid that resulted in Johnston's death, the chief said in a statement Tuesday.
"Following this task force's investigation, it will make recommendations directly to me as to any administrative action which should be taken against any other members of this department," Pennington wrote.
The announcement came the day after the FBI turned over a report to the Police Department — the contents of where not made public, reports The Atlanta-Constitution. Pennington said in his statement that no other federal charges are anticipated, but federal authorities did indicate last week that the report was going to address other issues.
Johnston died when policed barged into her home with guns blazing as part of a drug raid at the wrong address. They shot her as she brandished her own gun, possibly thinking she was being robbed. U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said it would make recommendations that could lead to state prosecutions or administrative discipline for other officers who played a role in the raid.
While the federal probe is over and three former Atlanta police officers are serving time for crimes stemming from the botched drug raid that led to the Kathryn Johnston's death in November 2006, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington is creating a special task force to find out whether any other officers violated police procedures related to the drug raid that resulted in Johnston's death, the chief said in a statement Tuesday.
"Following this task force's investigation, it will make recommendations directly to me as to any administrative action which should be taken against any other members of this department," Pennington wrote.
The announcement came the day after the FBI turned over a report to the Police Department — the contents of where not made public, reports The Atlanta-Constitution. Pennington said in his statement that no other federal charges are anticipated, but federal authorities did indicate last week that the report was going to address other issues.
Johnston died when policed barged into her home with guns blazing as part of a drug raid at the wrong address. They shot her as she brandished her own gun, possibly thinking she was being robbed. U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said it would make recommendations that could lead to state prosecutions or administrative discipline for other officers who played a role in the raid.
Former Lt Thomas Fife Arrested or Possession of Child Porn
A longtime LSU police officer was charged Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possession of child pornography.
Former Lt. Thomas Eugene Fife, 62, worked for 21 years at the LSU Police Department before FBI agents seized his work computer in July. He immediately was placed on paid administrative leave, but resigned four days later.
Possession of child pornography is a felony offense that carries a possible prison term of 10 years. Any prison sentence imposed in such cases also requires a minimum of five years of supervision once a felon completes his or her term of incarceration, according to U.S. Attorney David Dugas.
The discovery of alleged pornographic images was made by LSU officers monitoring departmental computers with surveillance software, according to FBI officials.
After that discovery, LSU reported the matter to the FBI, which obtained a warrant to seize Fife’s computer, cell phone and other electronic devices from his office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Bourgeois is the prosecutor assigned to the case.
More Information: http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9299428&nav=0aWU
Former Lt. Thomas Eugene Fife, 62, worked for 21 years at the LSU Police Department before FBI agents seized his work computer in July. He immediately was placed on paid administrative leave, but resigned four days later.
Possession of child pornography is a felony offense that carries a possible prison term of 10 years. Any prison sentence imposed in such cases also requires a minimum of five years of supervision once a felon completes his or her term of incarceration, according to U.S. Attorney David Dugas.
The discovery of alleged pornographic images was made by LSU officers monitoring departmental computers with surveillance software, according to FBI officials.
After that discovery, LSU reported the matter to the FBI, which obtained a warrant to seize Fife’s computer, cell phone and other electronic devices from his office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rich Bourgeois is the prosecutor assigned to the case.
More Information: http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9299428&nav=0aWU
Two Highway Patrol Troopers Fired Have been Reinstated?
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Two Ohio Highway Patrol troopers fired for taking part in a KKK-type costume prank have been ordered reinstated to their jobs.
An arbitrator ruled Tuesday that the May 2 firing violated the union's contract with the state.
The Ohio State Troopers Association had fought the dismissal of Craig Franklin and Eric Wlodarsky of the Sandusky post.
Franklin and Wlodarsky are to be reinstated with back pay and benefits, and the state cannot appeal the ruling.
Gov. Ted Strickland had asked that the men be fired after a patrol investigation found that on the day before Martin Luther King Day in January, Franklin put on a white cone, mask and cloth, and Wlodarsky took a photo with his cell phone and sent it to a colleague.
Strickland's spokesman said Wednesday that the governor is disappointed by the ruling but the administration will comply with it.
Two Ohio Highway Patrol troopers fired for taking part in a KKK-type costume prank have been ordered reinstated to their jobs.
An arbitrator ruled Tuesday that the May 2 firing violated the union's contract with the state.
The Ohio State Troopers Association had fought the dismissal of Craig Franklin and Eric Wlodarsky of the Sandusky post.
Franklin and Wlodarsky are to be reinstated with back pay and benefits, and the state cannot appeal the ruling.
Gov. Ted Strickland had asked that the men be fired after a patrol investigation found that on the day before Martin Luther King Day in January, Franklin put on a white cone, mask and cloth, and Wlodarsky took a photo with his cell phone and sent it to a colleague.
Strickland's spokesman said Wednesday that the governor is disappointed by the ruling but the administration will comply with it.
More Information:
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WTF??? I don't know if they should lose their jobs, but they do need some serious discipline.
More Information on Deputy who Accused Sheriff of Assault
A Defiance County sheriff's deputy who says he was assaulted by his boss, the sheriff, believes his days with the department are numbered.
In an interview, Deputy Austin Cape accused Sheriff Dave Westrick of assaulting him because Cape failed to write a ticket to a critic of the sheriff's for illegal burning.
In an interview that aired Oct. 31, 2008, the sheriff denied the allegations saying, "The absolute most I would do is put my hand on his shoulder". But Cape's lawyer, Terry Lodge says that is an assault.
"When I saw the segment, I thought that's remarkable.", Lodge says, "You have a law enforcement officer saying they just put hands on an employee."
According to the Ohio Revised Code section 2903.13 "No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another." and "If the victim of the offense is a peace officer... assault is a felony of the fourth degree".
Lodge says, that means the sheriff could be charged with felony assault.
Cape, meanwhile, was suspended today until a pre-disciplinary hearing November 14th.
The notice he was given says he can offer an explanation, but does not say what he's being disciplined for. Cape also hand delivered a letter to the county prosecutor today requesting a state investigation into his claims. The prosecutor and the sheriff have not returned our calls for comment.
Cape's attorney now plans to ask the governor's office to step in and request a state investigation.
In an interview, Deputy Austin Cape accused Sheriff Dave Westrick of assaulting him because Cape failed to write a ticket to a critic of the sheriff's for illegal burning.
In an interview that aired Oct. 31, 2008, the sheriff denied the allegations saying, "The absolute most I would do is put my hand on his shoulder". But Cape's lawyer, Terry Lodge says that is an assault.
"When I saw the segment, I thought that's remarkable.", Lodge says, "You have a law enforcement officer saying they just put hands on an employee."
According to the Ohio Revised Code section 2903.13 "No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another." and "If the victim of the offense is a peace officer... assault is a felony of the fourth degree".
Lodge says, that means the sheriff could be charged with felony assault.
Cape, meanwhile, was suspended today until a pre-disciplinary hearing November 14th.
The notice he was given says he can offer an explanation, but does not say what he's being disciplined for. Cape also hand delivered a letter to the county prosecutor today requesting a state investigation into his claims. The prosecutor and the sheriff have not returned our calls for comment.
Cape's attorney now plans to ask the governor's office to step in and request a state investigation.
Sergeant Arrested for Murder
South Africa
A KwaZulu-Natal police officer was arrested on Wednesday morning in connection with the killing of three people in Shongweni near Hillcrest in Durban, police said.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said the police officer was arrested in Pinetown by the National Intervention Unit at the offices of his attorney.
The officer, who holds the rank of sergeant, is expected to appear in the Pinetown magistrates court shortly.
It is alleged that the officer in his forties, went to a house in Shongweni and called a person to come outside around 4.15pm on Saturday.
The rest of the family became suspicious and also went outside.
He allegedly pulled out his firearm and shot at the family - four men and a woman. Three people - Sibonelo Ngcongo, Bonginkosi Ngcongo and Muzi Ngcongo - died on the scene while two were admitted to hospital.
It was initially reported that one of the two admitted to hospital had died on Sunday, however Mdunge said the person was still in a critical condition.
The Mercury newspaper reported on Wednesday that a shop owned by the police officer was burnt down.
Mdunge was quoted as saying: "It is believed the police officer's truck shop was set alight on Sunday night by angry community members who had heard about the shootings.
"Three adjoining rooms that the officer rents to people were also burnt.
"No one was injured in the fire and no arrests have been made."
Mdunge said police wanted to discourage the community from engaging in acts of this nature.
"The situation cannot be resolved by people committing more crimes."
The police officer faces three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20081106061520591C260701
A KwaZulu-Natal police officer was arrested on Wednesday morning in connection with the killing of three people in Shongweni near Hillcrest in Durban, police said.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said the police officer was arrested in Pinetown by the National Intervention Unit at the offices of his attorney.
The officer, who holds the rank of sergeant, is expected to appear in the Pinetown magistrates court shortly.
It is alleged that the officer in his forties, went to a house in Shongweni and called a person to come outside around 4.15pm on Saturday.
The rest of the family became suspicious and also went outside.
He allegedly pulled out his firearm and shot at the family - four men and a woman. Three people - Sibonelo Ngcongo, Bonginkosi Ngcongo and Muzi Ngcongo - died on the scene while two were admitted to hospital.
It was initially reported that one of the two admitted to hospital had died on Sunday, however Mdunge said the person was still in a critical condition.
The Mercury newspaper reported on Wednesday that a shop owned by the police officer was burnt down.
Mdunge was quoted as saying: "It is believed the police officer's truck shop was set alight on Sunday night by angry community members who had heard about the shootings.
"Three adjoining rooms that the officer rents to people were also burnt.
"No one was injured in the fire and no arrests have been made."
Mdunge said police wanted to discourage the community from engaging in acts of this nature.
"The situation cannot be resolved by people committing more crimes."
The police officer faces three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20081106061520591C260701
Two Officers Arrested for Stealing From Wal-Mart
Town of Newburgh
Pictures of Others.... http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081105/NEWS/81105026/-1/NEWS&Template=photos
Police officers from the Town of Montgomery and the Village of Tuxedo Park were among four people arrested Tuesday and Wednesday, after an investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Wal-Mart security and the State Dept. of Taxation and Finance uncovered an alleged theft scam at two local Wal-Marts.
Clifford M. Barber III, 41, of Walden, and Kevin Burchell, 26, of Montgomery were both arrested Tuesday, along with a Wal-mart employee, Bryan Dunn, 36, of Maybrook. Those arrests followed the execution of seven search warrants, with state and local police fanning out across the towns of Montgomery, Newburgh and New Windsor, as well as locations in Ulster County.
Barber is a part-time Town of Montgomery police officer. Burchell is a Tuxedo Park police officer. A fourth suspect, Laquionus “Q” Pressley, 29 of Newburgh, surrendered to police Wednesday morning.
All four are accused of participating in the thefts of hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise from the Wal-Mart on Union Avenue in the Town of Newburgh and Route 211E in the Town of Wallkill between April 2006 and April 2008. Some of the alleged thefts were captured on Wal-Mart’s internal store cameras, according to a complaint against Barber.
Barber was arraigned Tuesday night before Newburgh Town Justice Richard Clarino and released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in Town Court on Nov. 17. He’s charged with third-degree grand larceny, first degree offering a false instrument for filing, and filing a false personal income tax return, all felonies. He was also suspended from the Town of Montgomery police dept, where he has worked since 2003, said Police Chief Arnold Amthor.
Dunn and Burchell, also were released on their own recognizance. Pressley arraignment is pending Wednesday morning.
Amthor said town police assisted in the investigation, and that the department was "both disturbed and saddened" by the allegations against Barber.
"We are confident in the investigation that was conducted, and confident, as well, that justice will be served in this case," Amthor said in a prepared statement.
Burchell has worked full-time in Tuxedo Park since May of this year.
More details will appear in tomorrow’s edition of the Times Herald-Record.
Clifford M. Barber III, 41, of Walden, and Kevin Burchell, 26, of Montgomery were both arrested Tuesday, along with a Wal-mart employee, Bryan Dunn, 36, of Maybrook. Those arrests followed the execution of seven search warrants, with state and local police fanning out across the towns of Montgomery, Newburgh and New Windsor, as well as locations in Ulster County.
Barber is a part-time Town of Montgomery police officer. Burchell is a Tuxedo Park police officer. A fourth suspect, Laquionus “Q” Pressley, 29 of Newburgh, surrendered to police Wednesday morning.
All four are accused of participating in the thefts of hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise from the Wal-Mart on Union Avenue in the Town of Newburgh and Route 211E in the Town of Wallkill between April 2006 and April 2008. Some of the alleged thefts were captured on Wal-Mart’s internal store cameras, according to a complaint against Barber.
Barber was arraigned Tuesday night before Newburgh Town Justice Richard Clarino and released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in Town Court on Nov. 17. He’s charged with third-degree grand larceny, first degree offering a false instrument for filing, and filing a false personal income tax return, all felonies. He was also suspended from the Town of Montgomery police dept, where he has worked since 2003, said Police Chief Arnold Amthor.
Dunn and Burchell, also were released on their own recognizance. Pressley arraignment is pending Wednesday morning.
Amthor said town police assisted in the investigation, and that the department was "both disturbed and saddened" by the allegations against Barber.
"We are confident in the investigation that was conducted, and confident, as well, that justice will be served in this case," Amthor said in a prepared statement.
Burchell has worked full-time in Tuxedo Park since May of this year.
More details will appear in tomorrow’s edition of the Times Herald-Record.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Four Brooklyn Officers Under Investigation on Modified Duty
The NYPD yesterday took away the guns and badges of the four Brooklyn police officers under investigation for allegedly beating and sodomizing a marijuana suspect on a subway platform near Prospect Park, police said yesterday.
Their assignment to modified duty that includes desk jobs is considered significant because the department had kept the officers, all from the 71st Precinct, on full duty since the suspect, Michael Mineo, 24, made his claim nearly three weeks ago.
Police had said two civilian witnesses told Internal Affairs investigators they did not see anyone violate Mineo.
In recent days, however, a fifth officer, who works in transit and is considered a witness in the case, has moved toward entering into a cooperation agreement with the Brooklyn attorney's office as it continues presenting evidence to an investigative grand jury.
Law enforcement sources briefed on the grand jury investigation say that officer, if he cooperates, will implicate the four others in at least a physical assault. The sources say that development prompted the NYPD to take action against the four.
Mineo, sources say, has identified Officer Alex Cruz as the one who sodomized him with a police radio, though DNA tests are being performed on Cruz's radio and baton.
Lawyers for Cruz and the other officers either couldn't be reached for comment, or said they had no comment.
Kevin Mosly, one of Mineo's lawyers, said yesterday the department's move is a sign it realizes the officers committed wrongdoing. "We felt that Michael had presented an extremely compelling case of a heinous crime," he said.
Mineo's lawyers had said the NYPD was sending the wrong message by not placing the officers on modified duty.
Their assignment to modified duty that includes desk jobs is considered significant because the department had kept the officers, all from the 71st Precinct, on full duty since the suspect, Michael Mineo, 24, made his claim nearly three weeks ago.
Police had said two civilian witnesses told Internal Affairs investigators they did not see anyone violate Mineo.
In recent days, however, a fifth officer, who works in transit and is considered a witness in the case, has moved toward entering into a cooperation agreement with the Brooklyn attorney's office as it continues presenting evidence to an investigative grand jury.
Law enforcement sources briefed on the grand jury investigation say that officer, if he cooperates, will implicate the four others in at least a physical assault. The sources say that development prompted the NYPD to take action against the four.
Mineo, sources say, has identified Officer Alex Cruz as the one who sodomized him with a police radio, though DNA tests are being performed on Cruz's radio and baton.
Lawyers for Cruz and the other officers either couldn't be reached for comment, or said they had no comment.
Kevin Mosly, one of Mineo's lawyers, said yesterday the department's move is a sign it realizes the officers committed wrongdoing. "We felt that Michael had presented an extremely compelling case of a heinous crime," he said.
Mineo's lawyers had said the NYPD was sending the wrong message by not placing the officers on modified duty.
Former Officer Justin Bowman Faces Multiple Sex Charges
The wife of a former Mesa police officer called Maricopa police on her husband, who now faces multiple charges that he allegedly had sexual contact with a child.
Police arrested Justin Bowman on Oct. 29, after his wife contacted authorities saying Bowman was threatening to swallow a "bunch" of pills, said Sgt. Steve Judd, a police spokesman.
After arriving, officers determined Bowman "was involved in crimes against children that live at the residence," Judd said.
Bowman served as a Mesa police officer until September. Mesa police would not immediately comment about Bowman's time with the department or why he left.
While at the home, Bowman's wife told police he had sexual photos involving children on his cell phone.
"She was the one that told us that there were additional crimes occurring at the residence," Judd said.
Police later returned with a search warrant and took Bowman's cell phone, a computer and other items from the home.
Bowman was booked into the Pinal County jail on suspicion of eight counts of sexual conduct with a minor, each class 2 felonies.
State law defines the charge as a person who intentionally or knowingly engages in sexual contact with any person 18 years of age. For a class 2 felony, the victim must be at least 15 years old.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2008/11/05/20081105evbriefs1105.html
Chief of Police Richard Kellar charged with Assault
SOUTH NEW BERLIN
The Town of New Berlin’s Chief of Police has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest Thursday morning over allegations that he assaulted a 42-year-old man.
The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office said Friday its deputies had arrested New Berlin’s police chief, Richard P. Kellar, 43, of Norwich, at around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the hamlet of South New Berlin. Kellar was charged with third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, after he allegedly caused physical injury to another person.
Investigators said Kellar was not on duty at the time and have only identified the victim as a 42-year-old male.
Detective Sgt. Richard Cobb said the Sheriff’s Office could not comment on an ongoing investigation and directed questions to the District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Joseph McBride confirmed he had asked Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan to appoint a special prosecutor and asked for a change of venue.
The Town of New Berlin’s Chief of Police has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest Thursday morning over allegations that he assaulted a 42-year-old man.
The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office said Friday its deputies had arrested New Berlin’s police chief, Richard P. Kellar, 43, of Norwich, at around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the hamlet of South New Berlin. Kellar was charged with third degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, after he allegedly caused physical injury to another person.
Investigators said Kellar was not on duty at the time and have only identified the victim as a 42-year-old male.
Detective Sgt. Richard Cobb said the Sheriff’s Office could not comment on an ongoing investigation and directed questions to the District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Joseph McBride confirmed he had asked Chenango County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan to appoint a special prosecutor and asked for a change of venue.
Deputy Austin Cape says he was Assaulted by Sheriff David Westrick
A Defiance County Sheriff's Deputy says he was assaulted---by the Sheriff himself.
Deputy Austin Cape says he responded to a call at the home of a critic of Sheriff David Westrick last April. While investigating an illegal burning charge, Cape says the homeowner began ripping the Sheriff about his son's addiction to pain killers.
Cape left without issuing a ticket.
When he returned to the office, he says, the sheriff flew into a rage. "I was sitting there and I heard the sheriff call me a (expletive) at least a half dozen times," Deputy Cape says. "He just kept saying Cape's a (expletive) and he won't defend my family and won't defend the office."
So, Deputy Cape says, he took off his gun, planning to quit--and that's when the sheriff attacked. "He kinda grabbed me by the shirt collar and at the same time I leaned up against the wall and he just kinda followed me in with his hands on my shirt collar and the whole time, just screaming at me", Cape says.
The sheriff later went to Cape's parents house to apologize, but didn't realize they were secretly taping the conversation. In it, Westrick can be heard apologizing for his actions--although he never admits to assaulting Cape.
We confronted the sheriff, and he says, he never attacked the deputy. "The absolute most I would do is put my hand on his shoulder.", Westrick says, "But I did not push. I did not shove. That's not me".
Deputy Austin Cape says he responded to a call at the home of a critic of Sheriff David Westrick last April. While investigating an illegal burning charge, Cape says the homeowner began ripping the Sheriff about his son's addiction to pain killers.
Cape left without issuing a ticket.
When he returned to the office, he says, the sheriff flew into a rage. "I was sitting there and I heard the sheriff call me a (expletive) at least a half dozen times," Deputy Cape says. "He just kept saying Cape's a (expletive) and he won't defend my family and won't defend the office."
So, Deputy Cape says, he took off his gun, planning to quit--and that's when the sheriff attacked. "He kinda grabbed me by the shirt collar and at the same time I leaned up against the wall and he just kinda followed me in with his hands on my shirt collar and the whole time, just screaming at me", Cape says.
The sheriff later went to Cape's parents house to apologize, but didn't realize they were secretly taping the conversation. In it, Westrick can be heard apologizing for his actions--although he never admits to assaulting Cape.
We confronted the sheriff, and he says, he never attacked the deputy. "The absolute most I would do is put my hand on his shoulder.", Westrick says, "But I did not push. I did not shove. That's not me".
Monday, November 03, 2008
State Trooper Christopher Stanton Arrested for Sodomy on 12 year old
A former state trooper was arrested Monday following a grand jury indictment on sexual abuse charges.
Christopher Lee Stanton, 36, of Troy, has been charged with two counts of sodomy after a Pike County Grand Jury indicted him last week.
According to Pike County District Attorney Gary McAliley, Stanton was charged with sodomy first degree for an incident that occurred when the victim was under 12 years old and sodomy second degree for one that occurred when she was older than 12.
Stanton resigned from the Alabama Department of Public Safety in August while under investigation by the Troy Police Department for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor. He was arrested by the TPD on Aug. 13.
Stanton had been a state trooper since 1997 where he was assigned to the Highway Patrol Division in Montgomery.
Christopher Lee Stanton, 36, of Troy, has been charged with two counts of sodomy after a Pike County Grand Jury indicted him last week.
According to Pike County District Attorney Gary McAliley, Stanton was charged with sodomy first degree for an incident that occurred when the victim was under 12 years old and sodomy second degree for one that occurred when she was older than 12.
Stanton resigned from the Alabama Department of Public Safety in August while under investigation by the Troy Police Department for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor. He was arrested by the TPD on Aug. 13.
Stanton had been a state trooper since 1997 where he was assigned to the Highway Patrol Division in Montgomery.
Officer Natiq Shah Accused of Raping Woman
RAWALPINDI
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Nasir Khan Durrani on Monday suspended a sub-inspector (SI) for raping a woman and ordered registration of a case against him, said a police handout.
Raheena Bibi, wife of Muhammad Anwar, a resident of Shakrial, submitted an application to the RPO, complaining that Sub-Inspector Natiq Shah detained her at Nasirabad police post on the charge of helping the accused involved in some case and subjected her to physical torture.
She was produced before SP who after verifying the facts ordered the SI to release her immediately. After her release, Shah started visiting her house and criminally assaulted her a number of times.
According to Raheena, 35, the officer threatened that he will kill her husband in a police encounter if she did not “cooperate” with him.
Durrani directed DSP, Legal, Khalid Farooq Paracha to hold an inquiry and submit a report to him. After detailed investigations, the inquiry officer confirmed the allegations.
The RPO suspended Shah and ordered registration of a case against him.
Remand of terror suspect extended: Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) No II on Monday extended till November 13 judicial remand of a suspected terrorist facing charges of involvement in Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) attack case.
Having extended the remand of Hameedullah Mehsood of South Waziristan Agency, Judge Sakhi Muhammad Kahoot adjourned the hearing.
Wah Cantonment police arrested the accused for his alleged involvement in POF attack on August 21 that claimed more than 75 lives and injured over 100. The police have kept him in custody for 27 days for investigation.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Nasir Khan Durrani on Monday suspended a sub-inspector (SI) for raping a woman and ordered registration of a case against him, said a police handout.
Raheena Bibi, wife of Muhammad Anwar, a resident of Shakrial, submitted an application to the RPO, complaining that Sub-Inspector Natiq Shah detained her at Nasirabad police post on the charge of helping the accused involved in some case and subjected her to physical torture.
She was produced before SP who after verifying the facts ordered the SI to release her immediately. After her release, Shah started visiting her house and criminally assaulted her a number of times.
According to Raheena, 35, the officer threatened that he will kill her husband in a police encounter if she did not “cooperate” with him.
Durrani directed DSP, Legal, Khalid Farooq Paracha to hold an inquiry and submit a report to him. After detailed investigations, the inquiry officer confirmed the allegations.
The RPO suspended Shah and ordered registration of a case against him.
Remand of terror suspect extended: Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) No II on Monday extended till November 13 judicial remand of a suspected terrorist facing charges of involvement in Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) attack case.
Having extended the remand of Hameedullah Mehsood of South Waziristan Agency, Judge Sakhi Muhammad Kahoot adjourned the hearing.
Wah Cantonment police arrested the accused for his alleged involvement in POF attack on August 21 that claimed more than 75 lives and injured over 100. The police have kept him in custody for 27 days for investigation.
Trial for Officer Matthew Romano to Begin Wednesday
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y.
The trial for Johnson City police officer Matthew Romano, who is accused of lying about getting injured on duty will begin on Wednesday. He is charged with two counts of filing a false police report.
On Monday, Romano waived his right for a jury trial. The six year veteran of the Johnson City police force was found with stab wounds at Calvary cemetery in December 2006. Investigators say
The trial for Johnson City police officer Matthew Romano, who is accused of lying about getting injured on duty will begin on Wednesday.
Romano told them he was attacked by a black man with dreads. This triggered a manhunt. Investigators determined later that his wounds were self-inflicted.
http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=fffaa8f8-7e5d-4319-884e-f53b68e3c950
The trial for Johnson City police officer Matthew Romano, who is accused of lying about getting injured on duty will begin on Wednesday. He is charged with two counts of filing a false police report.
On Monday, Romano waived his right for a jury trial. The six year veteran of the Johnson City police force was found with stab wounds at Calvary cemetery in December 2006. Investigators say
The trial for Johnson City police officer Matthew Romano, who is accused of lying about getting injured on duty will begin on Wednesday.
Romano told them he was attacked by a black man with dreads. This triggered a manhunt. Investigators determined later that his wounds were self-inflicted.
http://www.newschannel34.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=fffaa8f8-7e5d-4319-884e-f53b68e3c950
Officer Jose Vela says Sex was Consensual
EDINBURG, Texas
A former South Texas police chief accused of sexually assaulting one of his officers testified Monday that the encounter was consensual and his attorney suggested the chief was the victim of a conspiracy.
Jose Luis Vela, 44, is accused of assaulting the officer after the man passed out drunk at a party at Vela's home in August 2006.
Vela threw more than 100 parties at his home during his decade-long reign as chief. The parties were often attended by his employees.
The former chief said Monday that the officer was a willing participant and the August 2006 incident was not their first sexual encounter. The Associated Press does not identify people who are victims of alleged sexual assaults.
When Vela's attorney Luis Singleterry asked if it had been sex between two consenting adults, Vela answered: "That's exactly what it was."
Asked if the officer had been passed out or unable to resist, Vela said the officer was "wide awake and doing the same thing."
Vela also countered two other former employees who testified last week that Vela has sexually assaulted them. In one case, Vela said it was also a consensual encounter and denied using any sort of device and in the other, he denied the employee's account entirely.
"I'm not a bad person," Vela said. "I don't consider myself to be a bad person."
Instead, Singleterry suggested that three of Vela's former employees had been brought together by Hidalgo County Sheriff's investigator Raul Cantu, who was retaliating against Vela. A week earlier Vela had suspended the investigator's wife, who worked for the Alton Police Department. Cantu testified last week that the incident with his ex-wife had no bearing on his investigation.
Each of Vela's alleged victims have said that they were approached about the investigation and none of them had reported the incidents to authorities. Singleterry also pointed out that each of the men had joined in a civil lawsuit against Vela and the city.
But prosecutor Hope Palacios painted Vela as an inexperienced chief running a department with such unqualified officers that they could not quit their jobs even after the alleged sexual assaults because they had little hope of finding new ones.
Asked if having a romantic relationship with one of his officers was unprofessional, Vela said that since it happened outside the workplace it was all right.
Vela's cross-examination is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning.
Accusations of bad record keeping and stealing confiscated alcohol ultimately cost Vela his job in September 2007. Vela testified Monday that he never instructed his employees to bring alcohol from the department's evidence locker to his parties.
Alton is a town of about 4,400 residents located 10 miles north of the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley.
A former South Texas police chief accused of sexually assaulting one of his officers testified Monday that the encounter was consensual and his attorney suggested the chief was the victim of a conspiracy.
Jose Luis Vela, 44, is accused of assaulting the officer after the man passed out drunk at a party at Vela's home in August 2006.
Vela threw more than 100 parties at his home during his decade-long reign as chief. The parties were often attended by his employees.
The former chief said Monday that the officer was a willing participant and the August 2006 incident was not their first sexual encounter. The Associated Press does not identify people who are victims of alleged sexual assaults.
When Vela's attorney Luis Singleterry asked if it had been sex between two consenting adults, Vela answered: "That's exactly what it was."
Asked if the officer had been passed out or unable to resist, Vela said the officer was "wide awake and doing the same thing."
Vela also countered two other former employees who testified last week that Vela has sexually assaulted them. In one case, Vela said it was also a consensual encounter and denied using any sort of device and in the other, he denied the employee's account entirely.
"I'm not a bad person," Vela said. "I don't consider myself to be a bad person."
Instead, Singleterry suggested that three of Vela's former employees had been brought together by Hidalgo County Sheriff's investigator Raul Cantu, who was retaliating against Vela. A week earlier Vela had suspended the investigator's wife, who worked for the Alton Police Department. Cantu testified last week that the incident with his ex-wife had no bearing on his investigation.
Each of Vela's alleged victims have said that they were approached about the investigation and none of them had reported the incidents to authorities. Singleterry also pointed out that each of the men had joined in a civil lawsuit against Vela and the city.
But prosecutor Hope Palacios painted Vela as an inexperienced chief running a department with such unqualified officers that they could not quit their jobs even after the alleged sexual assaults because they had little hope of finding new ones.
Asked if having a romantic relationship with one of his officers was unprofessional, Vela said that since it happened outside the workplace it was all right.
Vela's cross-examination is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning.
Accusations of bad record keeping and stealing confiscated alcohol ultimately cost Vela his job in September 2007. Vela testified Monday that he never instructed his employees to bring alcohol from the department's evidence locker to his parties.
Alton is a town of about 4,400 residents located 10 miles north of the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley.
Officer Wayne Simoes Appears in Federal Court
WHITE PLAINS, NY
Police Officer Wayne Simoes, indicted for using excessive force, allegedly violating the civil rights of Irma Marquez, appeared before White Plains Federal Court today.
The government was presented with additional evidence to refute the August 19, 2008 indictment against P.O. Simoes. The most pertinent among the evidence submitted are two video tapes which challenge the widely distributed video which shows P.O. Simoes lifting Ms. Marquez vertically into the air after grabbing her about her waist, turning her mid-air onto a vertical position, and thereafter slamming her body face down onto the floor in the bar from which the allegations are drawn.
P.O. Simoes' attorney, Andrew Quinn, Esq., said the video divulged to the public in August “doesn't tell the whole story.”
Quinn said, "The video the government handed over is significantly longer and shows a number of events."
P.O. Simoes is next expected to appear before the court on December 4, 2008, when a trial date could be set.
Detention Officer Jessie Baker Faces Bribery Charges
A detention officer who was dismissed from his job last week at the Nash County jail faces charges of taking bribes from an inmate.
Jessie M. Baker, 25, was sent home from work after admitting he had been smuggling cigarettes to an inmate for $30-a-pack. The jail is a non-smoking facility.
Sheriff Dick Jenkins said authorities were tipped off after other inmates complained the unidentified prisoner was getting cigarettes. Through investigation, officials learned Baker had been accepting $30 from an outside source for each pack of cigarettes he delivered to the inmate.
Baker was charged with two counts of accepting bribes from a prisoner, Jenkins said. Baker, who had worked for six months as a detention officer, was released from jail on a $30,000 bond.
“Of course you don’t want that to happen,” Jenkins said. “You have a detention officer bringing (cigarettes) in, what else could be brought in? That’s why he’s no longer with us.”
Jessie M. Baker, 25, was sent home from work after admitting he had been smuggling cigarettes to an inmate for $30-a-pack. The jail is a non-smoking facility.
Sheriff Dick Jenkins said authorities were tipped off after other inmates complained the unidentified prisoner was getting cigarettes. Through investigation, officials learned Baker had been accepting $30 from an outside source for each pack of cigarettes he delivered to the inmate.
Baker was charged with two counts of accepting bribes from a prisoner, Jenkins said. Baker, who had worked for six months as a detention officer, was released from jail on a $30,000 bond.
“Of course you don’t want that to happen,” Jenkins said. “You have a detention officer bringing (cigarettes) in, what else could be brought in? That’s why he’s no longer with us.”
More Information:
Probation Officer Sydnie Maglaughlin Arrested for Theft, Possession
An eastern Oregon probation officer was arrested Thursday during an investigation by the Malheur County Sheriff's Office and the High Desert Drug Task Force.
Sydnie Maglaughlin, 36, of Nyssa was accused of possession of a controlled substance, third-degree theft and third-degree official misconduct, said a sheriff's spokeswoman. She posted $1,500 bail and was released from jail.
Maglaughlin was hired in 2004 as a corrections technician for the Malheur County Work Release Center, the sheriff's office said. She transferred to the probation office in 2006.
Maglaughlin is on administrative leave pending results of the investigation.
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-27/122578225442990.xml&storylist=orlocal
Sydnie Maglaughlin, 36, of Nyssa was accused of possession of a controlled substance, third-degree theft and third-degree official misconduct, said a sheriff's spokeswoman. She posted $1,500 bail and was released from jail.
Maglaughlin was hired in 2004 as a corrections technician for the Malheur County Work Release Center, the sheriff's office said. She transferred to the probation office in 2006.
Maglaughlin is on administrative leave pending results of the investigation.
http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-27/122578225442990.xml&storylist=orlocal
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Off-Duty Officer Accused of Killing 4 People
A policeman is being sought after he allegedly shot and killed four people in KwaZulu Natal.
Police Superintendent Vincent Mdunge on Sunday said the sergeant, who is in his 40s, had been off-duty at the time of the shooting.
"The man, who is based at Hillcrest police station, went to a residence at Shongweni, just outside Hillcrest, on Saturday.
"He called out an occupant of the house. Other people in the house became suspicious and went outside to see what the policeman wanted. The officer then opened fire on the group. All the occupants of the house were unarmed."
Three people died at the scene. A fourth person died in hospital on Sunday and a fifth has been treated and discharged.
Mdunge said the police were trying to establish the motive for the shootings.
"There is no indication of what led to the attack. Police are investigating four charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder."
Mdunge said investigators wanted the man to surrender to the police.
"We are calling for this officer to take responsibility and come forward."
He added that people who know of the officer's whereabouts should inform the police immediately.
This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on November 02, 2008
Police Superintendent Vincent Mdunge on Sunday said the sergeant, who is in his 40s, had been off-duty at the time of the shooting.
"The man, who is based at Hillcrest police station, went to a residence at Shongweni, just outside Hillcrest, on Saturday.
"He called out an occupant of the house. Other people in the house became suspicious and went outside to see what the policeman wanted. The officer then opened fire on the group. All the occupants of the house were unarmed."
Three people died at the scene. A fourth person died in hospital on Sunday and a fifth has been treated and discharged.
Mdunge said the police were trying to establish the motive for the shootings.
"There is no indication of what led to the attack. Police are investigating four charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder."
Mdunge said investigators wanted the man to surrender to the police.
"We are calling for this officer to take responsibility and come forward."
He added that people who know of the officer's whereabouts should inform the police immediately.
This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on November 02, 2008
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Officer Darrin White Charged with False Pretense
A former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was arrested and charged with false pretense Friday after other members of the department raised questions about the hours he worked.
The former officer – Darrin White, a 16-year veteran of the force who worked in the Hickory Grove division before resigning this May – turned himself in at Mecklenburg jail and was released on a written promise to appear in court.
A Police Department news release says the charge stems from allegations dealing with White's reported work hours and pay with the city. White's annual salary was $63,338, according to city records, but it's unclear how much money is in dispute. An internal investigation is also under way.
A police report, which would provide details about the alleged crime, wasn't immediately available. Internal Affairs Capt. Chuck Adkins said there is an internal investigation into White's actions, but that he couldn't release details because of employee confidentiality laws and because the internal investigation is ongoing.
“We always defer and allow the criminal case to be pleaded first,” Adkins said. “Then we conclude the internal investigation.”
White's number isn't listed, and he couldn't be reached for comment.
The results of both investigations will be turned over to the state and could affect White's certification as a law enforcement officer.
It's the third false pretenses case involving a CMPD officer that has become public in the past two years.
In October 2007, Jerome Whitlow, 35, was charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Then-police Chief Darrel Stephens said Whitlow failed to report to an off-duty security job at a construction site, but filled out a time report reflecting that he was there.
In January 2007, Officer Alan McGraw was arrested on the same charge, accused of lying about security work he'd been hired to do at a county park.
The former officer – Darrin White, a 16-year veteran of the force who worked in the Hickory Grove division before resigning this May – turned himself in at Mecklenburg jail and was released on a written promise to appear in court.
A Police Department news release says the charge stems from allegations dealing with White's reported work hours and pay with the city. White's annual salary was $63,338, according to city records, but it's unclear how much money is in dispute. An internal investigation is also under way.
A police report, which would provide details about the alleged crime, wasn't immediately available. Internal Affairs Capt. Chuck Adkins said there is an internal investigation into White's actions, but that he couldn't release details because of employee confidentiality laws and because the internal investigation is ongoing.
“We always defer and allow the criminal case to be pleaded first,” Adkins said. “Then we conclude the internal investigation.”
White's number isn't listed, and he couldn't be reached for comment.
The results of both investigations will be turned over to the state and could affect White's certification as a law enforcement officer.
It's the third false pretenses case involving a CMPD officer that has become public in the past two years.
In October 2007, Jerome Whitlow, 35, was charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Then-police Chief Darrel Stephens said Whitlow failed to report to an off-duty security job at a construction site, but filled out a time report reflecting that he was there.
In January 2007, Officer Alan McGraw was arrested on the same charge, accused of lying about security work he'd been hired to do at a county park.
More Information:
Three Vancouver Officers Arrested for Drunk Driving
VANCOUVER
Three police officers arrested for impaired driving in three separate incidents in British Columbia is distressing news for Bob Rorison of MADD's Greater Vancouver chapter.
But Rorison believes others will likely be more upset than him.
"You can bet next time any police officer stops someone for drinking and driving, they'll get a loudmouth drunk, screaming that police have no right to make arrests because they're worse than anyone," said Rorison.
"A few bad apples have destroyed the credibility of all police officers."
Rorison said it took a generation to get out the message that drinking and driving is not acceptable, arguing the arrests of the police officers have reversed all the advances of the past decade.
Late Friday, the RCMP announced a third B.C. police officer had been arrested within the past year for impaired driving.
Cpl. Darren Baker, of the North Vancouver RCMP, is to appear in court in January. He was arrested last December and charged when officers spotted him allegedly driving erratically.
Two weeks ago, a New Westminster police officer was arrested in North Vancouver after allegedly crashing an unmarked police car into a sign. New Westminster Const. Tomi Hamner is to appear in court next month. Like Baker, Hamner is a school liaison officer.
Their involvement with students makes the arrests even worse, said Rorison.
News of the police arrests this week coincided with the Mounties' announcement of the arrest on impaired charges last March of the North Vancouver school board chair, who is up for re-election this month.
The most serious arrest involved an RCMP officer from Richmond after a fatal crash last weekend in the suburb of Delta that claimed the life of 21-year-old motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson.
Delta police are recommending that RCMP Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson be charged with impaired driving causing death.
Although he has not been charged formally, Robinson was identified by RCMP as the officer involved.
Robinson was also identified as one of four officers who were called to Vancouver International Airport on Oct. 14, 2007, to confront a Polish would-be immigrant, Robert Dziekanski. Dziekanski died after being hit by a police Taser.
A report on that incident has been forwarded to Crown counsel, who will decide whether to lay charges.
Const. Annie Linteau, spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the officers arrested for impaired driving also face code of conduct investigations.
Cpl. Baker, of North Vancouver RCMP, and Const. Hamner, with the force in New Westminster, are on administrative duties. Const. Robinson is suspended with pay.
"We are certainly concerned and certainly we take these seriously," said Linteau.
"We do have 6,000 members in the division and, as far as we can see, these are isolated incidents."
B.C. Solicitor General John van Dongen said police forces, like all employers, have a responsibility to ensure that assistance is available to their members who may have a substance abuse problem.
"The law will apply to everyone regardless," said van Dongen. "It's absolutely unacceptable that people will drink and drive on a public road."
Three police officers arrested for impaired driving in three separate incidents in British Columbia is distressing news for Bob Rorison of MADD's Greater Vancouver chapter.
But Rorison believes others will likely be more upset than him.
"You can bet next time any police officer stops someone for drinking and driving, they'll get a loudmouth drunk, screaming that police have no right to make arrests because they're worse than anyone," said Rorison.
"A few bad apples have destroyed the credibility of all police officers."
Rorison said it took a generation to get out the message that drinking and driving is not acceptable, arguing the arrests of the police officers have reversed all the advances of the past decade.
Late Friday, the RCMP announced a third B.C. police officer had been arrested within the past year for impaired driving.
Cpl. Darren Baker, of the North Vancouver RCMP, is to appear in court in January. He was arrested last December and charged when officers spotted him allegedly driving erratically.
Two weeks ago, a New Westminster police officer was arrested in North Vancouver after allegedly crashing an unmarked police car into a sign. New Westminster Const. Tomi Hamner is to appear in court next month. Like Baker, Hamner is a school liaison officer.
Their involvement with students makes the arrests even worse, said Rorison.
News of the police arrests this week coincided with the Mounties' announcement of the arrest on impaired charges last March of the North Vancouver school board chair, who is up for re-election this month.
The most serious arrest involved an RCMP officer from Richmond after a fatal crash last weekend in the suburb of Delta that claimed the life of 21-year-old motorcyclist Orion Hutchinson.
Delta police are recommending that RCMP Cpl. Benjamin Monty Robinson be charged with impaired driving causing death.
Although he has not been charged formally, Robinson was identified by RCMP as the officer involved.
Robinson was also identified as one of four officers who were called to Vancouver International Airport on Oct. 14, 2007, to confront a Polish would-be immigrant, Robert Dziekanski. Dziekanski died after being hit by a police Taser.
A report on that incident has been forwarded to Crown counsel, who will decide whether to lay charges.
Const. Annie Linteau, spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said the officers arrested for impaired driving also face code of conduct investigations.
Cpl. Baker, of North Vancouver RCMP, and Const. Hamner, with the force in New Westminster, are on administrative duties. Const. Robinson is suspended with pay.
"We are certainly concerned and certainly we take these seriously," said Linteau.
"We do have 6,000 members in the division and, as far as we can see, these are isolated incidents."
B.C. Solicitor General John van Dongen said police forces, like all employers, have a responsibility to ensure that assistance is available to their members who may have a substance abuse problem.
"The law will apply to everyone regardless," said van Dongen. "It's absolutely unacceptable that people will drink and drive on a public road."
Officer David Lebron Trial for Misconduct Begins
NEW CITY, N.Y.
A police officer accused of helping seamy bars evade police crackdowns has gone on trial in Rockland County.
A prosecutor said in an opening statement Friday that Spring Valley Officer David Lebron protected taverns rife with prostitution, drug dealing and violence by tipping them to police raids. Lebron's lawyer told jurors they would find "a dearth of credible evidence."
The 39-year-old Lebron faces charges including falsifiying business records and official misconduct. He has been suspended without pay since his arrest a year ago.
He has said authorities tried to frame him because he filed a civil rights lawsuit after not getting promoted.
Lebron has been on the Spring Valley force for 10 years, after about six with the New York Police Department.
___
Information from: The Journal News, http://www.thejournalnews.com
A police officer accused of helping seamy bars evade police crackdowns has gone on trial in Rockland County.
A prosecutor said in an opening statement Friday that Spring Valley Officer David Lebron protected taverns rife with prostitution, drug dealing and violence by tipping them to police raids. Lebron's lawyer told jurors they would find "a dearth of credible evidence."
The 39-year-old Lebron faces charges including falsifiying business records and official misconduct. He has been suspended without pay since his arrest a year ago.
He has said authorities tried to frame him because he filed a civil rights lawsuit after not getting promoted.
Lebron has been on the Spring Valley force for 10 years, after about six with the New York Police Department.
___
Information from: The Journal News, http://www.thejournalnews.com
Officer Charged with Taking Bribe
A Suffolk County police officer was in criminal court yesterday, only he was the one wearing handcuffs.
That's because Suffolk police arrested Bruce W. Blanco, 48, Friday on charges he extorted and accepted a bribe from a contractor in the form of a $15,000 brick patio he had the contractor build at his home.
In exchange, police said, Blanco, of Commack, on Friday gave "false testimony" in traffic court about a May 8 car stop, essentially "fixing" a speeding ticket for the contractor, police said.
The contractor, Adam McCabe, was allegedly driving 97 mph when Blanco pulled him over, police said.
Blanco, a 22-year police veteran, was released on his own recognizance yesterday morning after arraignment in Central Islip. He spent Friday night at the 7th Precinct lockup.
There is audio and videotape, not from the original traffic stop, of Blanco negotiating the terms of the patio construction in exchange for making the speeding ticket go away, said Spiros A. Moustakas, assistant district attorney with the Suffolk County DA's government corruption unit.
In court, Blanco stood handcuffed, with his attorney, Christopher S. Rothemich of Islandia, who entered a plea of not guilty on Blanco's behalf.
A representative of the Police Benevolent Association was also with Blanco. After he was released, Blanco said nothing, and Rothemich declined to comment.
At his Commack home, which features new, slate-gray brick outside the front door, members of Blanco's family refused to speak with a reporter.
Blanco's next Suffolk County Court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 15. He is suspended without pay.
Police charged Blanco with second-degree grand larceny for stealing McCabe's property by threatening that he would be imprisoned for speeding if McCade didn't build the patio, court records state.
He is also charged with second-degree bribery solicitation, for receiving the $15,000 worth of work to his home, court records state.
Blanco made statements to investigators that on the day he pulled McCabe over, the laser equipment used to measure vehicle speed wasn't properly calibrated, Moustakas said.
"I knew from the start the summons was going to be dumped anyway," Blanco said, according to Moustakas.
When confronted with evidence that he had paid McCabe $1,500 for $15,000 worth of work, Blanco said he had only paid $1,000, Moustakas said.
Blanco faces a maximum penalty of 5 to 15 years in prison on each charge, Moustakas said.
More Information:
http://www.timesofmiddlecountry.com/Articles-i-2008-10-30-76799.112114_Police_officer_charged_wtih_taking_bribe.html
That's because Suffolk police arrested Bruce W. Blanco, 48, Friday on charges he extorted and accepted a bribe from a contractor in the form of a $15,000 brick patio he had the contractor build at his home.
In exchange, police said, Blanco, of Commack, on Friday gave "false testimony" in traffic court about a May 8 car stop, essentially "fixing" a speeding ticket for the contractor, police said.
The contractor, Adam McCabe, was allegedly driving 97 mph when Blanco pulled him over, police said.
Blanco, a 22-year police veteran, was released on his own recognizance yesterday morning after arraignment in Central Islip. He spent Friday night at the 7th Precinct lockup.
There is audio and videotape, not from the original traffic stop, of Blanco negotiating the terms of the patio construction in exchange for making the speeding ticket go away, said Spiros A. Moustakas, assistant district attorney with the Suffolk County DA's government corruption unit.
In court, Blanco stood handcuffed, with his attorney, Christopher S. Rothemich of Islandia, who entered a plea of not guilty on Blanco's behalf.
A representative of the Police Benevolent Association was also with Blanco. After he was released, Blanco said nothing, and Rothemich declined to comment.
At his Commack home, which features new, slate-gray brick outside the front door, members of Blanco's family refused to speak with a reporter.
Blanco's next Suffolk County Court appearance was scheduled for Dec. 15. He is suspended without pay.
Police charged Blanco with second-degree grand larceny for stealing McCabe's property by threatening that he would be imprisoned for speeding if McCade didn't build the patio, court records state.
He is also charged with second-degree bribery solicitation, for receiving the $15,000 worth of work to his home, court records state.
Blanco made statements to investigators that on the day he pulled McCabe over, the laser equipment used to measure vehicle speed wasn't properly calibrated, Moustakas said.
"I knew from the start the summons was going to be dumped anyway," Blanco said, according to Moustakas.
When confronted with evidence that he had paid McCabe $1,500 for $15,000 worth of work, Blanco said he had only paid $1,000, Moustakas said.
Blanco faces a maximum penalty of 5 to 15 years in prison on each charge, Moustakas said.
More Information:
http://www.timesofmiddlecountry.com/Articles-i-2008-10-30-76799.112114_Police_officer_charged_wtih_taking_bribe.html
Friday, October 31, 2008
Following up on a violent New Year's Day arrest, Scott Gutierrez and
Levi Pulkkinen put together a piece on Marcel Richardson, a 23-year-old West Seattle man arrested at Seattle Center after a run-in with police. You can get the full story here.
Because of a settlement, obstruction of justice and resisting arrest charges against Richardson will be dropped so long as he stays out of trouble for the next six months. He hasn't yet decided whether he'll file a civil suit against Seattle police or the King County Sheriff's Office.
As it happened, a KOMO/TV crew was covering the Seattle Center New Year's celebration nearby when the altercation began and caught most it on tape. It was one of two videos of the incident, neither of which captures the initial confrontation between Richardson and King County deputies who pulled him from the door of a McDonald's restaurant at Fifth Avenue North and Broad Street.
Richardson had been asking to be allowed to rejoin his friends in the McDonald's, which had locked its doors at police request because of a gathering crowd outside. He'd stepped out to turn off his car alarm and found himself locked out.
According to Richardson, the deputies grabbed him, patted him down and told him to leave. When he demanded they tell him why he was pulled from the door, one of the deputies soaked him with pepper spray.
The video from KOMO – the P-I's news partner – picks up moments after the initial altercation, showing Richardson running half-blind toward a group of police and firefighters. The video from the scene starts about 25 seconds into the clip.
The second video, one shot by Richardson's cousin and shared with us by Richardson's attorney, shows Richardson moments before the incident. He appeared to be calmly talking to a McDonald's clerk, trying to be let back in to the resturaunt.
The video goes on to show an officer striking a friend of Richardson's with what looked like a long-handled flashlight as the young man walked toward Richardson, who was by then pinned to the ground by police. An officer also fired pepper spray at the cameraman.
After-action reports filed by Seattle police describe the scene somewhat differently from the videos, but most capture the chaotic turn that night had taken.
Compared with the video, several reports overstate Richardson's level of resistance moments before he was shot with a Taser. One officer claims Richardson was "still struggling violently" at a time when the video shows him on his hands and knees.
Explaining their reaction, several officers also note that, when they saw Richardson running toward them half-blind, they thought he'd assaulted an officer.
"As he ran towards me, I had to assume that since he was being chased by so many officers and deputies, he must have committed a crime," Officer Phillip Morrison said in a statement.
Richardson's attorney, Michael Schwartz, said the tapes of the incident likely saved his client from a conviction, and at least encouraged prosecutors to seek a settlement.
"I hate to think what would have happened if they hadn't existed," he said.
Video and Story: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/seattle911/archives/153009.asp
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