You broke my wrist!' Police sued for taking down wrong man

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2020, 07:16 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Associated Press

Russ Bynum, Associated Press
Updated 2:05 am CDT, Wednesday, July 1, 2020



Photo: AP
IMAGE 1 OF 4
In this still image from body camera video released by the Valdosta police, Antonio Arnelo Smith is slammed face-first to the ground by a Valdosta police sergeant, in Valdosta, Ga., on Feb. 8, 2020. The video shows Smith handing his driver's license to a police officer and answering questions cooperatively before a second officer, Sgt. Billy Wheeler, approaches him from behind, wraps him in a bear hug and slams him face-first to the ground. Smith is crying in pain when he's told there's a warrant for his arrest. Officers are then told the warrant was for someone else. (Valdosta Police via AP)

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Body camera video shows Antonio Arnelo Smith handing his driver's license to a Black police officer and answering questions cooperatively before a white officer walks up behind him, wraps him in a bear hug and slams him face-first to the ground.

“Oh my God, you broke my wrist!” the 46-year-old Black man screams as two more white Valdosta officers arrive, holding him down and handcuffing him following the takedown. One eventually tells Smith he's being arrested on an outstanding warrant, and is immediately corrected by the first officer: They've got the wrong man.

Clutching his wrist and whimpering, Smith was let go without charges after the violent encounter on Feb. 8 in Valdosta, Georgia, near the Florida state line.

Now he's suing all four officers, as well as Valdosta's police chief, mayor and others, saying police used excessive force and violated his civil rights.

Read more: https://www.mrt.com/news/article/You-broke-my-wrist-Police-sued-for-taking-down-15378527.php

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(I object to A.P.'s claim this man was "whimpering." That's some kind of contemptuous language for someone who's supposed to be accurately describing the event.)

[MrModerate]

1. Pay this man a few million...

And then try to explain to the local taxpayers why their one-horse town is broke.

[Locrian]

2. defunding

defunding the police is going to become a net positive in terms of $$

Stupid gets expensive really fast.

[Dustlawyer]

5. Still has to clear Qualified Immunity, not a given in this case.

The city may just settle due to the video and public pressure, but this is why Qualified Immunity needs to go.

[EarthFirst]

11. Take it from the their pension funds... nt

[Bengus81]

3. Oh gosh...he was let go without charges!!!!!!

Well how lucky. Those nice cops probably pointed him in the direction of the nearest Minor Emergency Center for that broken wrist and told him later days........

[2naSalit]

4. I agree that "wimpering" was pejorative

and rather telling in it's own way.

[Aristus]

6. It must be the racist, pro-pig local rag.

Sneering at a man who is in pain.

God, I fucking hate the human race sometimes...

[2naSalit]

9. Oddly,

I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. I've had broken bones, including a broken wrist. ...

"Whimpering" is only one of many forms of expression used until the bones were set and wrapped in plaster.

[marble falls]

7. I've had my wrist broken. Whimper is a PoS word for what I felt. Fuck the cops and fuck AP.

[oasis]

8. BCMC.💵

Beau Coup Money Coming. 💰💰💰