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Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect and News Producer

By TChris, Section Misconduct
Posted on Sun Oct 09, 2005 at 09:01:30 PM EST
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[Update: (TL)] The three officers have been arrested, charged with battery and released pending further court proceedings.

Update: Crooks and Liars has the video.

*****
by TChris

Police officers in New Orleans were recently caught on tape beating an intoxicated man.

The APTN tape shows an officer hitting the man at least four times in the head Saturday night as he stood outside a bar near Bourbon Street. The suspect, Robert Davis, appeared to resist, twisting and flailing as he was dragged to the ground by four officers. Another of the four officers then kneed Davis and punched him twice. Davis was face-down on the sidewalk with blood streaming down his arm and into the gutter.

Although the police department claims that race was not an issue, Davis was black and the unidentified officers -- some of whom were local, while others were not -- appeared be white or light skinned.

The officers were camera shy.

Meanwhile, a fifth officer ordered APTN producer Rich Matthews and the cameraman to stop recording. When Matthews held up his credentials and explained he was working, the officer grabbed the producer, leaned him backward over a car, jabbed him in the stomach and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade.

New Orleans police are already under scrutiny for their involvement in looting. They may have stolen vehicles, as well:

On Friday, state authorities said they were investigating allegations that New Orleans police broke into a dealership and made off with nearly 200 cars - including 41 new Cadillacs - as the storm closed in.

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    Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect and News Producer | 8 comments (8 topical)
    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#5)
    by Quaker in a Basement on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:50 PM EST
    I hope this case gets lots of ink. Police officers and the public need frequent reminders that a free press isn't something that is negotiated on the scene. It's guaranteed.

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#1)
    by cpinva on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    caught the tape on cnn this morning. the man was on the ground, it and he drenched in blood. one of the "police" practically bent the ap guy double over the hood of a car, while screeching at him, obviously just barely refraining from beating him as well. these weren't police, they were thugs, masquerading as police. i'm placing a bet right now that all charges will be dropped against the man, and this will quietly go away, in spite of the taped evidence. anyone care to bet against me?

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#2)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    cowards.

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#3)
    by peacrevol on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    What's up with cops thinking they can just beat up people for the hell of it these days? They're just looking for a reason to show their excessive force or use their tasers or nightsticks. I dont know the circumstances of this particular case, but it seems that beating him until he stops moving is not necessarily the best way to protect and serve. After all, who will protect us from the police that are supposed to be protecting us?

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#4)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    Just imagine his name was Donald Rumsfeld and you'll feel better. Or Bill Bennett. Cops. Never around when you really need them. Try Dunkin' Doughnuts. And we're supposed to feel for them when one gets killed? F**k that.

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#6)
    by roy on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:51 PM EST
    This is NOLA's public safety crew, and yet it's Bush's fault the evacuation didn't go well...

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#7)
    by jimcee on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:52 PM EST
    These cops were probably pissed because they didn't get one of those Cadillacs from the Sewell dealership that the other cops got and drove to Baton Rouge, in style. NOLA had a lot of problems before the Hurricane hit but it is just being exposed now because of the press attention. This city is an old, corrupt, graft-ridden piece of the southern past. The incompetence of its leadership that was laid bare by recent events, is endemic in its political system. Whether the leaders were Black or White, Republican or Democrat they were and are corrupt. If the people of NOLA put up with this nonsense they deserve the treatment they get from thier Gov't.

    Re: Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect a (none / 0) (#8)
    by roy on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:52 PM EST
    Even when cops get called on their criminal behavior, they get preferential treatment. Judging by the amount of blood, this looks more like aggravated assault than battery. Quick aside, in Texas, we get to shoot people to stop an aggravated assault.

    Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect and News Producer | 8 comments (8 topical)