Lawyer wants criminal investigation in wheelchair case

[Images from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department video]
Read previous coverage: Deputy dumped man from wheelchair
Watch Video from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department

TAMPA -- Four Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies were suspended -- one without pay -- for dumping a quadriplegic man out of his wheelchair, authorities say.

But the attorney for Brian Sterner is not satisfied with the suspensions. He wants a criminal investigation.

"There's no reason why that deputy should not be charged with battery on a disabled person,'' said Largo lawyer John Trevena (right in photo at left).

On Jan. 29, Sterner was booked at the Orient Road Jail. Video footage shows a uniformed officer throwing the Sterner out of his chair, then searching him as he lay on the floor. The deputy, he said today, was "fairly belligerent and incredibly abrasive.''

That deputy, Charlette Marshall-Jones, 44, was suspended without pay, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. Marshall-Jones has been with the sheriff's office since 1986. Three others -- Sgt. Gary Hinson, 51, Cpl. Steven Dickey, 45 and Cpl. Decondra Williams, 36 -- were placed on administrative leave. Hinson has been with the sheriff's office since 1984; Dickey, 1982; and Williams, 1994. The length of the four suspensions was unknown, Carter said.

At an afternoon news conference Hillsborough County Chief Deputy offered his apologies - something Sterner said no one had done yet.

“Best I can do is offer him our apologies,” said Docobo. “There is no excuse This is indefensible. And to the extent that we can make it right for this gentleman, we will do so.”

Tampa police reports show Sterner was stopped Oct. 25 in Ybor City after he was spotted waving his arms and shaking his head from side to side in a 2005 silver Mini Cooper.

The car was equipped with hand pedals. Abilities of quadriplegics vary depending on the location of spinal cord injury. Sterner is a C6/C7 quadriplegic, so he is paralyzed from the chest down and has limited use of his arms.

He had been driving 5 mph in a 30 mph zone. But police lost sight of him until another officer spotted him at Florida Avenue and Columbus Drive. Their reports noted that he made "foolish" statements. For instance, he said "sarcastically" that he trusted the officer with blue eyes, and not the one with brown eyes.

"Although I did not detect an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Sterner's breath, based on his irrational behavior, I suspected the possibility he was under the influence of some type of illegal substance," wrote Tampa police officer Peter Charbonneau.

Sterner allowed police to take a blood sample. No illegal drugs were found, police reported. So he faced only a charge of fleeing and attempting to elude police when he was arrested Jan. 29 based on the Oct. 25 incident.

He was getting booked at the Orient Road Jail when he was ejected from his wheelchair.

"It's mind-boggling that they  are that callous in treating their inmates," Trevena said. "What happens when they aren't captured on video?"

Sterner is scheduled to fly to New York City today to tell his story on the Today show Wednesday morning, Trevena said.

-- Rodney Thrash and Casey Cora, Times staff writers

Comments

[nando]

Support our Troops!! I bet $50 bucks the guy is a disabled vet!

[jack]

Marshall-Jones should be charged with both aggravated assault as well as police brutality. this "officer of the law" does nothing but drag down the reputation of our police forces. She is a criminal.

[mulham shbeib]

I think a hefty lawsuit is on the way and justifiably so. I wish I was an attorney and not a CPA.

[Sandra]

Sad that the powers that be have been in denial of what goes on when for more years than I can count people have been telling them of this type of behavior.

How good would it be for them to do some unbiased house cleaning and bring back the respect we all know they would garner.

[Susan]

They need to be fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tony]

Ya know, as many times as I have defended the action of police and corrections officers, I don't see any justifiable reason for what happened. The guy is at least a paraplegic so he can't walk without assistance. Yes, I've seen people clarified as paraplegics that can actually "walk" with lots of help. That's irrelevant here though. The only thing I can think of is that he said something to her and she got pissed. Let the investigation go through but if all is true with what she did, video notwithstanding, than fire her immediately. Corrections officers have a hard enough job, sometimes more difficult than field officers, than to have colleagues who can't control their tempers.

[Jason A.]

Not only should Marshall-Jones be fired and charged with battery, the officer that is just looking on needs to be severely suspended without pay! 11 years ago I was doing time (the last time I ever went to jail!) in Pinellas County Jail when a young black male officer started verbally abusing me to try and humiliate me in front of a nice looking female guard. Another guard saw this an lit into him. That guard knew that just because people are inmates and have made a mistake, they are still human beings.

Not that it justifies her actions but is it possible that the guy "who trusts only blue eyed cops" provoked the incident by a slur? Let's hear the deputies story

[wazzamattaU]

Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[Kay]

Words are never a reason to justify battery. Just because someone is sarcastic doesn't mean they are crazy or on drugs it may just mean that they have been abused before.

[MarkMarsh]

The crip should have kept his mouth shut. The cops were just doing there job.

[Joe]

"Not that it justifies her actions but is it possible that the guy "who trusts only blue eyed cops" provoked the incident by a slur? Let's hear the deputies story" --anonymous

"The crip should have kept his mouth shut. The cops were just doing there job." --MarkMarsh

Both of you need your arses whipped. Your either thread trolls or really are that stupid.
It doesn't matter if that guy was shouting "Hail Hitler!". Emotions have no place in administering the law. If you are an officer and you allowing your emotions to get in the way, guess what? Time to quit! And I don't want to hear the lame excuse of "you don't know what it's like to deal with the maggots of society on a daily basis". Uhhh you should of known what kind of people you were going to be encountering when you filled out the application moron! That's like joining the military and then getting pissed off because you have to go to war.
Duh!

[toni]

she should be fired, and the others who condoned this should be on UNPAID leave.
the law suit that will happen, SHOULD happen, money is the only thing that will change the way things are done.

[BateauMaster]

His "Blue & Brown" comments were made in October - how does this relate to the smack down in January??? Please, read the story!

Bad arrest and horrible bullying by HCSO equals more of your tax dollars thrown away!!!!

[Tracy Woolrich]

In response to Mark Marsh...In what way were the cops just doing their job? I was not aware that assaulting a disabled person was on their job description. Marshall-Jones should be fired and charged with abuse. As for you Mr Marsh, I work with the disabled and those with chronic pain issues...and you need to pray to God that you do not ever become "a crip" yourself.

[Darrell]

They all should be thrown in the jail they work at with the other inmates they have treated badly...Karma has a funny way of serving justice on people!

[Simon]

Yep. Once again this huckleberry jerkwater burg made it to CNN.

[sue]

if someone did that on the street, they'd be arrested & should be here. as for the "pd leave"..why give them a pd vacation! they all need to be prosecuted. & a law suit is probable but we will pay for it, not the perps!! Our tax $ can be spent better than employing people not able to do this job!

[sue]

if someone did that on the street, they'd be arrested & should be here. as for the "pd leave"..why give them a pd vacation! they all need to be prosecuted. & a law suit is probable but we will pay for it, not the perps!! Our tax $ can be spent better than employing people not able to do this job!

[BETH]

what the hell is wrong with them. they all need to fired. no need for that just because they have a badge?

[will sheppard]

WRONG IS JUST WTONG THE OFFICERS WERE JUST WRONG. WE SHOULD NOT EXCUSE BAD BEHAVIOR. NO AMOUNT OF WORDS SHOULD HAVE PROVOKED THAT OFFICER.

[cutter]

What a disgrace. Im sure that if the person that was disabled was of another race, Al Sharpton would be the first to spout. Wher is the outcry from the other side..????

[TechRider]

Fleeing and eluding arrest? In his wheelchair or in the car at the stated 5 miles per hour. Give me a break.

[CJ]

I agree Cutter, where are Jesse and Al when the tables are turned?

Is this not a civil rights issue?

Where are the ADA people that all show up cause a bathroom is 2" to small or there aren't enough places for wheelchairs at the Trop?

[Dave O.]

I was terribly offended when I saw the video. I agree with most of the others here that the deputy should be fired and even prosecuted for her actions. There is no place in this world for that type of behavior.

[Margaret]

The deputy was also unaware how fragile are the bones of paraplegics and quadriplegics, because of their poor circulation and lack of weight-bearing exercise. A bone in the leg, arm, NECK, can snap like a twig. What would she be saying then, and to whom?

[Jamie]

Fleeing and eluding police going 5mph? Gotta be proud of our LE's mentality.

When will we get all the facts? C'mon free press let'e hear from the deputies.

[Larry]

This is a dispicable and tragic picture unfolding at the hands of public servants. There needs to be more than just time off here. These folks crossed the line in handling this severely disabled person. Is this how they would like themselves or their family to be treated. This is senseless and should receive harsh punishment.

[Dan]

If this were white deputies and the victim was black there would be claims of racial prejudice, and perhaps deservedly so. My first thought when I saw this video was just that. Seems to me there may be a race element here. NONE of the other employees made any attempt to see if he was injured. I don't know much about these types of injuries, but is a person with this type of disability at risk to do more damage to the affected area?

Everyone in that room should be fired and face criminal charges. This is absolutely sickening.

[Garbanzo]

HSCO deputies are typically abusive with their authority. They should be videoed 24 hours a day. We would be amazed at the sh*z we say if we did!

[RE]

SUspended?? I think she and everyone else in that room during that incident need to be fired. To dump a handicapped person out of a wheelchair...and for the others to stand by and watch it happen...and no report filed of the incident...is gross abuse of power, inappropriate behavior for a law enforcement officer, and just plain mean. Get rid of these so called law enforcement slobs!

I would love to do a psychological assessment on these deputies.....including the "spectator". Regardless of what slurs their inmate may have spouted, they are supposed to be professionals.....and professionals do not allow their personal feelings to cloud their judgment.

[Steve]

>
Maybe they needed a helicopter to track him - LOL!

No helicopter needed, he has LoJack on the wheelchair.

They did not dump him out, he was trying to escape and they stuck a stick in his spokes.

cool

[Julie]

Imagine my shock to see not one, but THREE "large women of color" present at this assault.

[kitty]

Nando, Mr. Sterner was injured when he was 18, so he's probably not a vet. However, NOBODY deserves to be treated like the TPD treated him.

[Jen]

Well, Florida's made national news again, with this one. Front page cnn.com.

[soso]

Yet another reason to make calling the cops a last resort. I'd pretty much have to be bleeding out of my eyes at this point to call these "people."

Is it me or are most cops high school bullies that didnt have the grades or brains for ANY type of college/trade school/vocational training. This dude proves the point. The cops have certainly taken over the news around here lately. They ARE the criminals.

Sad.

[Kevin]

Disgusting to see somebody who can't defend themselves abused like that. Basically tossed on their head. Good thing it was caught on tape or they would "cover it up."

[ct]

Wow I can't believe some of you actually say things like "well maybe Mr. Sterner provoked it" WHAT!!! Their cops... they aren't suppose to be provoked into doing crap like this! I say fire her as well as the others that just looked on or laughed!

[Cheryl]

This is unbelievable. Another issue here is why are two women searching a man. It should be male police officers doing the search. Are male officers allowed to search females? Totally degrading - these people are being booked, but they are still innocent until proven guilty. Can you imagine your son or daughter being treated like that. I'm not even going into the fact that it was done at the front entrance where anyone coming in could see and that they gave him no warning. I agree they need to be fired and brought up on charges.

[Carolyn]

Another cop on a power trip what a shocker. This cop knew the video would capture this image. Just a slap in the face to the law because cops think they can do whatever they want. This one better be charged. If this was not one of their own, Tampa PD would be arresting the culprit in a heartbeat. Someone needs to teach the cops that their badge allows them to uphold the law, not make them or break them as the mood strikes.

[Linda]

I smell something racist... The race card is ALWAYS thrown when stuff is done to the black community, notice all the guards are black and he's white. Hmmmmm maybe he should call Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton for support? I truly hope these guards get what they deserve, maybe a few broken necks would help them to understand the severity of this!

[Reeves]

WOW! Just think of the backlash if the roles were reversed. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the NAACP would be down here in a flash.

Learn to read people. It was HCSO not TPD!

[John]

So, I guess we forget entirely the supposed U.S. justice system's "innocent until proven guilty" credo... Further, such PROOF is to be delivered through the justice system - not a woman of overly-large dimensions, of African-American heritage doling out her own brand of justice!!! Outrage is an understatement - Satan has his own "special chair" in h*ll waiting on Ms. Charlette Marshall-Jones (813) 977-9300

Evading and eluding at 5 mph. And they LOST him. Amazing. There should be some criteria to that charge, like actual eluding. I knew of another person charged with that who also never accelerated, never made a turn off a road.

It would be interesting to heat what the deputies have to say, although I am sure they are being directed to not speak. However, I cannot fathom anything they could say that could explain or excuse this.

There should be charges filed. No doubt about it. But odds are there won't be. I cannot imagine why so many in this area do not have faith in law enforcement.

[mulham shbeib]

They made Ben Moffitt's wife repay her county for alleging using her work time to right papers for her husband. Why are these cops being put on paid leave? If they are found guilty, will they have to repay the county? Thanks for wisely using our taxpayer money to put these abusive officers on paid leave.

[Tony]

It's very rare that I don't defend the law enforcement community to the hilt, but in this case there was no reason for the corretions deputy did. Even if the suspect had physically assaulted HER and/or said something verbally assaultive, what was he going to do. As much as police and corrections officers put their lives on the line everyday THIS one should be fired...at the least. Maybe she was having a bad day, but that doesn't excuse this.

[Joe Joe]

After they dumped him, they should have kicked him.

[Ann]

How is it that the general public has been brainwashed into believing that police/prison guards are beyond reproach? How naive the majority of people are. Or perhaps they are not naive, just inexperienced. If you have ever had a loved one who was incarcerated, then you would know that at least 50% of jail deputies and corporals are really very sadistic and dishonest. It is always their word against the inmate and they get away with some very ugly stuff. I think we should demand total video surveilance in our jails and prisons. Let the world see there is almost a non-existant line between the jailed and their jailers.

[Amanda]

Go Brian!

[Thomas]

Very Simple Solution. Tie her to the wheelchair and hook the chair to the back of a truck. Drag her through malfunction junction. She needs to be brutalized just like she did to this poor helpless individual. Also, I would like to know where Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Etc are?? They ALWAYS seem to rise up when something EXACTLY like this happens to an african american but where are thje racist sob's now??

TIMMY! Timmy timmy timmytimmytimmy. TIMMY!

[Eddie B.]

What happened is an outrage. However, I don't understand what the race or size of the officers have to do with it.

The issue is that the person was disabled and the HCSO should've followed proper procedure (ADA?) in dealing with him.

I didn't read about any racial epithets thrown at the individual nor has anyone even hinted that there were any racial over/under tones during the whole incident.

So for all of you racist folks trying to find something to beat up sharpton and jackson with (I do not agree with everything these two men do!!!) don't use this use something else.

Like them, by using something that had nothing to do with race it belittles your cause and people such as myself will accuse you of race baiting.

[Thomas]

Eddie,
are you kidding me? Sharpton and Jackson would be in Tampa ASAP to discuss how this was racially motivated if turned the other way. Sharpton and Jackson are two racist biggots and should be prosecuted themselves. Let me ask you a question. What would the african amer. community do if I was one of thse individuals?? They would riot and there is a good chance that I would not be here right now.

[Thomas]

And to the WHITE officer which was laughing.. He needs behind beat too. Hook him up to a truck and drag him as well and let the victim laugh just like he did.

[KF]

I wonder why they didn't taser him?

[Eddie B.]

Problem wasn'T race it is gestapo tactics of some police and correction officers of all races....

See BOOT CAMP DEATH
See Frank Valdez in Stark

everyone on this board agrees that what happened was deplorable.

But RACE/FATNESS had nothing to do with it.

[ricco]

IF WE CAN'T TRUST THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT. WHO CAN WE TRUST.?

AT THE LEAST ALL INVOLVED SHOULD BE FIRED AND SERVE JAIL TIME.

CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT GOES ON WHEN THERE IS NO VIDEO CAMERAS???????

SHERIFF EMPLOYEES HAVE TO BE JUDGED BY A HIGHER STANDARD, THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THERE ARE SOLDIERS FIGHTING FOR OUR DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, INCLUDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

THE SHERIFF NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING THE WORLD IS WATCHING
YOUTUBE DRUDGEREPORT.COM
THIS IS A DISGRACE.AN APOLOGY IS NOT ENOUGH!!!!!!!!

[TPD]

I know Deputy Marshall-Jones personally and this is so far out of her character I am speachless. She is a good person and I have only observed her acting professionally. She has always gone beyond her responsiblities to care for the inmates and has always been the one person to help them. I am not defending what is documented on this video as there is no defense.

[mike]

these supervisors are suspended WITH PAY!!their enjoying their time off.heads should roll

[mike]

these supervisors are suspended WITH PAY!!their enjoying their time off.heads should roll

[Duane]

Deplorable. I cannot begin to fathom the absolute disregard for this man's dignity and why a cop would ever feel justified in pitching someone with physical disabilities from their wheel chair.

This officer has absolutely stained the reputation of the HCSD in my eyes.

[steve]

Just what Tampa needs More stupid policemen bringing an unfavorable light to Tampa. This guy was not a criminal and was treated like scum. Police wonder why no one trusts them? The actions of a few tarnish the badge. Wake up Chiefs and top cops. Do your jobs and weed out the scum in your organisations

[Logan]

kudos wazzamattaU. That is an excellent quote, and it is very true.

[Shawn]

Wow. Outrageous. I guess learning about section 1983 is not in HCSO's training program. There are several cases on point, but try beating this language: "Conduct under color of state law that can be fairly characterized as intentional, unjustified, brutal and offensive to human dignity violates victim's constitutional right to due process."

[hoshi]

Unfortunately Eddie B, race has everything to do with it, the only reason race wouldn't play into this is because it was black abusing white. If it was the other way around, these people are right, Sharpton and Jackson would have already been here with their NAACP croonies. And we would have been threatened with riots and related crime. So please do not for one minute think that race doesn't have anything to do with it. It is just handled differently, but don't think we don't see it for what it is.

[BOB]

Thats Bull she didnt even have any consideration this man dosent deserve to be dumped on the floor like that she should be fired and charged as any one else thats deplorable action on her part lets drop her fat black a** in jail and leave her there

[BOB]

And the officers that just walked by and did nothing to stop should be fired imediately thats so bad that its hard to watch he might have broken the law but not to be treated like a piece of garbage lets.. See some action here and we should Hope he gets every dime that hillsbourgh County has in thier police fund for thses lawsuits that will now be in the works

[Lisa]

God forbid that the woman help him back in the chair after "dumping" him like a rag doll. She might hurt her back and claim disability! Disabled should have some respect even going to jail!!!

[jan]

The first thing that I pictured in my mind was the guard in a wheelchair at a long-term care facilty ( a bad one) being abused on a regular basis. That might be justice.

[Mimi]

Obviously this posse was hired during the hey day of affirmative action so they got civil service points just for being minorities and they probably didn't have to pass tests with as high a score as nonminorities.Then they had time on the department and with a good union what the heck you can't get fired.There must be a whole lot of arrogance on the part of the abusers to think they could treat a person like this.I doubt if its the first time either.As far as Marshall-Jones not being like this guess what Hitler liked dogs so what?Evil people are deceptive.

[Sivia]

Brian didn't deserve this kind of treatment. My only hope is that these people what they deserve...

[Greg]

We know this routine. Police investigate their own...no misconduct found...policman back on the streets with more power and conviction that they can do no wrong. Wearing a badge does not protect you from the law. Let them have their day in court with a jury of non-police officers!!!

[Dr_Dug]

And they wonder why they have trouble with the inmates! Remember the scandal with DOC? These crooks with a badge NEED to spend some time in the back with the inmates. Then we'll see how tough they really are without thier badges,guns and manpower. I'm sure the guards report stated the man in the wheelchair was a threat and not listening to deputies. And call the CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION and AL Sharpton.

[Hanging noose]

That guard deserves to feel the grip of a rope on her neck as her a-- is thrown to the ground. And her little punk a-- buddies too!!

[Hang-man]

Let the HANGMAN have his day! Punish the crimminal guards NOW!
HANG EM' HIGH

[R.Z.]

This must be the clearest and most egregious examples of discrimination against a physically disabled person by law enforcement that there has ever been in modern times in this country. The conduct of detention personnel, in willingly and wantonly violating this man’s civil rights, cannot stand in a civilized society; and anyone found to have committed or condoned this outrage by act or silence, must be carefully and thoroughly investigated, and ALL individuals found responsible MUST be prosecuted to the fullest extent of state and federal law. All individuals have a right to free from abuse and violence under color of authority. What is ultimately at stake here is nothing short of the ability of the law to protect us all.

[Haven]

Fat black sheriff's deputies -- no doubt affirmative action quota employees -- taking out their racial hatred on a handicapped white man. I call for an investigation by the US Atty and the EEOC. I am sick of seeing black on white discrimination being overlooked!

[Black Bastards]

Haven...your absolutely correct!! Put that guard in the back with the other crimminals and let justice take over. She works in the jail....so she'll feel right at home!!

Worthless Black Bastards

[Dr_Dug]

Everyone who reads this article or leaves a comment should call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department and State Attorney and complain. We don't have Al Sharpton..but we have a voice!!
JUST DO IT !!

[T. Smith]

People like Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones make the work of law enforcement officers extremely difficult. By condoning this kind of behavior, other officers perpetuate the disrespect and hatred that many citizens have for law enforcement officers in general and, by extention, the law itself.

These officers supposedly work for us the people. If we allow them to engage in this type of behavior, then we deserve the mistreatment that we receive at their hands.

Those involved should be brought up on criminal charges and their bosses should be fired.

[Jackie]

There are a number of issues here. I am absolutely irate over this.

"Sterner allowed police to take a blood sample. No illegal drugs were found, police reported. So he faced only a charge of fleeing and attempting to elude police when he was arrested Jan. 29 based on the Oct. 25 incident."

First off this incident happened in Oct, he was tested for blood alcohol levels then charged in Jan. for fleeing and attempting to eluding police. HELLO, excuse me, first I cant believe the police lost him to begin with.How do you lose someone going 5 mph in a 30 mph zone. This is pretty sad for the police dept to even admit. Also if he submitted to the drug test how did he flee or elude anyone. If the stupid cops LOST SIGHT of a car doing 5 mph than they are the asses, that's not fleeing.

Second off, if an officer walks up to a vehicle and sees that the car is adapted for the handicapped and the person is slurring his words ,and he DID NOT SMELL ALCOHOL, as he stated himself, why in the hell didn't he think it was possible that it might have been part of his DISABILITY, are they idiots.

"He had been driving 5 mph in a 30 mph zone. But police lost sight of him until another officer spotted him at Florida Avenue and Columbus Drive. Their reports noted that he made "foolish" statements. For instance, he said "sarcastically" that he trusted the officer with blue eyes, and not the one with brown eyes."

Third off, now sarcasm or answering sarcastically is considered FOOLISH STATEMENTS, damn OK ALL YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE SARCASTIC PERSONALITIES, watch your butts, this will lead to being arrested. Now if he was distinguishing between the two officers, blue eyed verses brown eyed and that was it, what did this man say wrong, would it have been ok to say the fat one verse thin, the brown haired verses blonde, give me a friggin break. SOMETHING SMELLS BAD ABOUT THIS FROM STEP ONE. EVERYONE make sure you never shake your head or arms in your car again its grounds for cops to be suspicious. ALL DISABLIED PEOPLE, if you slur when you talk, please never talk to an officer cause that is grounds to arrest you , take your blood and humiliate you.

Now the last straw is that after you have been put all thru what you have so far, you get taken in 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FACT, and can someone explain where ANYONE has the right to abuse another soul, let alone a cop, to a disabled person. Can anyone explain why with the video footage, not ONE of those OFFICERS were arrested yet.Can anyone explain why all but one are on paid leave. This makes no sense or logic. They should have been fired and arrested. Submit your blood and prove you weren't on anything illegal as was first suspected, which would basically mean you shouldn't have been stopped to begin with, than still being charged with fleeing and eluding when THEY JUST LOST TRACK OF YOU, ALLL BECAUSE a bunch of educated people you are SUPPOSE to be trained to be AWARE of every bit of the situation in front of them. This was an injustice all because they didn't believe he was DISABLED even thou his car was set up with equipment, his wheel chair had to have been obvious, I'm sure he had handicapped parking which should have came up on his license when they originally did a license check. HOW IN THE HELL ,did they believe he was lying about being a quadriplegic or paralyzed.

This poor guy had 6 ribs broken( if I'm Correct) by this officer's actions. Most quadriplegics don't have feeling where they are paralyzed. Most have to be very careful because of how brittle their bones can get, this poor guy could have had his neck broke with what this idiot did to him.

I have two disabled kids and I have always told them that they could get help from an officer if they needed it and they would always help if they had any problems. One of my kids after seeing this wanted to know why I would tell them that officer's would help them , when they didn't even help the man they could see was disabled in a wheelchair. MAYBE someone can give me the answer to that one, cause I didn't have one.

[themomma]

I am absolutely amazed at what our society has come to. The officer shown in the video dumping that man out of his wheelchair needs to not only be fired but should be arrested for assault. People with disabilities are protected and he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Anything less is not acceptable. And we wonder why our children are having problems these days? Look at what they see- a person who is usually looked at with respect and authority abusing that power on someone who cannot defend themselves.

[tommie]

I wonder how someone driving 5mph on a 30mph zone can flee and attempt to elude police?

The deputy needs to be thrown in the slammer for assault. And the rest of the staff needs to get fired. Now.

[wskibum]

Ah, fleeing at 5 mph in a 40 mph zone? Sounds more like obstructing traffic to me. The cops are knot heads and should be charged as well as face a lawsuit.

[Dennis]

well we can hear her side of the story all we want,it will never justify her actions(never) they all should be fired and jones should face charges.i agree if it was a black quad and white deputies race would be a major issue and jessee jackson and al sharpton would be asking for there heads.so i wonder what jessee and al have to say about this? i truly hope someone asks them.my son has muscular dystrophy and has no ability to move his limbs so is pretty much a quad so have no sympothy for any of the deputies even if its out of jone's charactor as was stated by a friend of hers.NONE.

[scheidde]

He was doing 5 mph in a 30 mph zone when officers lost sight of him...They had the balls to charge him with fleeing and attempting to elude????

He didn't flee or elude, those cops have bad eyesight or they're just stupid...

They will drop every charge against him and he will sue the crap out of the jail..AND WIN IF THERE IS ANY JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD!!!

[muscleman]

I hate cops and especially women cops.
I really hate people who hyphenate their last name. how stupid.

The officer should be arrested for the crime and stand trial. The officer should have to observe the law that they are paid to enforce. Why should they be excluded from having to follow the law?

[John]

The officer should be arrested for the crime and stand trial. The officer should have to observe the law that they are paid to enforce. Why should they be excluded from having to follow the law?

[galoux]

As a disabled woman, I'm not only appalled but alarmed by what happened. There is no possible way to blame Mr. Sterner for what happened in that video, and for it to have happened and for witnesses to just stand around is almost unbelievable. To me it shows just how far we have gone in believing that anyone arrested or detained is (a) guilty and (b) a person without any rights. Terrifying. I do hope criminal charges are brought, and swiftly.

[Cloud]

Bring forth the investigations and hate crime charges NOW!