State Attorney's Office reviews Sterner arrest

From the Today show on NBC. Click to enlarge

Watch Today show clip.

Previous coverage: Treatment of disabled man attracts national spotlight

The Hillsborough State Attorney's Office is reviewing the Oct. 25 arrest that led to quadriplegic Brian Strerner's booking into the Orient Road Jail in January, but the investigation into the conduct of four suspended sheriff's deputies remains in-house with the sheriff's Internal Affairs department, Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said today.

“We don’t just see something on TV and go out and make an arrest,” she said. “We let the Sheriff’s Office complete their internal affairs investigation first. That’s how it’s done in every case.”

Earlier this morning, Sterner told Today show host Meredith Vieira that he wants a personal apology from Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee for the way he was treated at the jail last month. This afternoon, Gee did just that.

Sterner also said he wants a criminal investigation followed by action from Gov. Charlie Crist's office, and possibly the federal government.

"It's not about one deputy," said Sterner, 32, who flew to New York City on Tuesday to appear this morning on the NBC show. He said he wants more attention paid to the "ridiculous down-pressing of people across the world."

"It's not about race. It's not about a wheelchair," he said. "It can happen to anybody at any time."

Surveillance video footage of a Hillsborough detention deputy dumping the quadriplegic Sterner from a wheelchair blasted across news Web sites and YouTube on Tuesday (watch it here).

Meanwhile, the roommate of the suspended deputy said their house phone has rung nonstop.

"It's not even just in Florida," said Beverly Crecy, who was outside the home, checking the mail. "These calls are from out of state. People calling her 'n-----' and 'fat' and all kinds of stuff. Seven o'clock in the morning and all through the night."

Earlier in the day, a published report suggested that Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones made her first public comments since the video surfaced. Crecy said the reporter may have spoken to her, but not Marshall-Jones. She said the Sheriff's Office advised Marshall-Jones against making any statements.

Crecy tearfully praised Marshall-Jones' 22 years of service to the Sheriff's Office.

"People run us down in the store trying to give us food and stuff like she's a politician because she is a good deputy," she said. "And she does her job and she's passionate about her job and for them to sully her name the way that they're doing is not right. And I'm not going to give you or anybody else anything that is going to further hurt her. She doesn't deserve this.

"This is the job nobody wants. How many people watching the TV and calling us and passing judgment on us is willing to put that uniform on. We holler obscenities out at them and hate them, but as soon as somebody walks in our yard, we want them to come put their lives on the line for us, people they don't even know. And then this is how they want to treat us? It's not fair."

Three other deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. One of those deputies is Steve Dickey, 45. Dickey, who has served as president of the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office detention chapter of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, said he didn't see what happened to Sterner.

"All I can tell you is that I was not there when the incident took place. I wasn't in the area. I wasn't there. I wasn't in that part of the jail," he said. "If you've seen the full video, then you see that."

Dickey does not appear in the frames of the video where Sterner is dumped from the wheelchair. Dickey, a thick-framed man with a crew cut, comes into the video as the deputies are putting Sterner back into the wheelchair.

Dickey, who just started his 27th year with the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office, said he couldn't go into more detail about what was said by deputies that day.

"I am not trying to be difficult with this at all, but you have to remember that this is an investigation," he said. "You have to remember that I have a job I have to keep." 

In New York, Sterner sat next to his Largo attorney, John Trevena. He said neither he nor his doctor have seen any X-rays since the Jan. 29 fall. Sterner, who is paralyzed from the chest down, said his right side has felt "strange" since the fall.

"I very well could've broken something and I wouldn't even know it," he said.

Jail officials said X-rays taken at a jail medical facility two days after Sterner's fall showed no broken ribs. Vieira, the host, said the Sheriff's Office declined to be interviewed for the show and did not send a written statement.

Trevena said he spoke with Sheriff Gee late Tuesday. He said Gee apologized and intends to refer the case to the Hillsborough County State's Attorney's Office for review.

"Having something like this captured on videotape really sends the message home that we really need to
take close look at what's going in our jails and prisons," Trevena said. "I think these types of things happened fairly routinely, and it's only when you have unequivocal evidence like this that something can be done about it."

At the end of the interview, Sterner said he was going to the national stage as a platform for change. He hopes "this negative way of dealing with life and people will change."

"Just like Rodney King got beat in the street and I got thrown out of my wheelchair, it happens to people
every day," he said. "It's just that now there's cameras that catch it."

"And you plan to fight it?" Vieira asks.

Said Sterner: "Damn right."

Sterner is also scheduled to tell his story on Inside Edition and CNN.

- Casey Cora, Rodney Thrash and Abbie VanSickle, Times staff writers

Comments

I saw the video. Deplorable and a hate crime!

[lloyd schrieber]

awful!!! looks like a hate crime to me!!!

[PJ]

Don't drive under the influence and run from the cops and you want have these problems, that's why he was stopped in the first place. Pretty simple how that works, right? I hope the Sheriff doesn't apologize and that he loses the trial and has to mop the floors of the jail for community service.

[BOB]

Ok if he feels he broke a rib or got injured why not go to his own doctor and get x-rays to confirm or dispute the jails response and ,, Yes its a shame he was treatd like a rag doll ..
no matter what law he broke this is notthe middle ages as people were treated like this then lets see some justice in this case GOV. Crist send in some of your officals to clear this up

[Kev]

Ridiculous...I hope they wipe that station clean, starting with the two lady sheriffs, along with the smuck who walked by the camera laughing and thought it was funny...Hopefully, some organization puts a lot of pressure on this office...We all know that had it been a black man in a wheel chair and two white officers then the NAACP would have had a field day with this...This is no different...Racial?..

[Mark]

The problem with ignorance is that it can be contagious. Take PJ's comments for instance. The man has not been tried and has not been found guilty of anything. To the best of my knowledge, his record is clean. It doesn't excuse drinking and driving, IF that's the case. But there is absolutely no excuse for mistreating someone in that fashion. The deputy responsible should be severely disciplined or even fired.

[Sim]

Good call PJ. Now alcohol or drugs were in his system and his attempt to "flee" was for driving 5 mph in a 30. These cops should be fired. Defending this type of behavior is absurd.

If I were Sheriff, I would have the uniforms changed. No pockets! If you watch the video, you can see most walking around with their hands in their pockets. How unprofessional!

[Suzie]

If he was DUI, then he got everything he deserved. He could have killed someone. I think the law should be changed where DUI is a mandatory 5 years in prison for a 1st offense, 15 years for a 2nd, and life without parole for a 3rd. The use of force was entirely reasonable here, and I can guarantee you that Gee will not apologize and indeed would endorse the actions by the officers.

[QB1]

Message to PJ:

Your comments suggest you possibly work for the Sheriffs office. Or do you simply condone that type of bullying behavior by law enforcement on a defenseless person? Ignorance is a lack of education.

I can understand a cop or cops beating on someone that has avoided arrest or committed assualt on an officer. But "dumping" a paralyzed man out of a wheel chair and than laughing about it? If he was black, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have already been in Tampa.

[frank]

Hey PJ, know the facts before you run your mouth. Have you been drinking a little bit this morning?

[cutter]

If the diabled person was black, Sharpton, Jesse and the naacp would be all over this. Where is their outcry for this man??

[a-non-a-miss]

different set of rules on this one..if he was a shade darker and they were a shade lighter, AL and Jesse would be doing their press conference from the PAC...and...it's the month of Feb?!
Once again, people like to follow rules when it's convient for them. It's not racial discrimination, it's human..and believe it or not that's more important.

[frank]

I got so mad I did not read Suzie's comments too. Suzie, did you take a nip or two this morning? You are a moron.

If you look at the reaction of the officers, it's ho-hum, just another day at the office. There's nothing out of the ordinary. That speaks volumes. You can bet this abuse is so common in there so as to render virtually no reaction from all onlookers. Tampa cops are so corrupt it makes the LAPD in their heyday look like saints. Remember Daniel Brock, the officer who charged hundreds of people falsely with DUI? That was just ho-hum, another day at the office. This is among the most corrupt police departments in the country. And you can bet that without this video, it would have been denied all day long and that would be believed. Tampa PD is just repugnant.

[MK]

PJ-before you continue your DUI witch hunt you should check the facts. He willingly gave a blood sample and police reported that NO illegal substances were found. The disgusting and illegal behavior of these officers gives a bad name to those who act in their authority with integrity and character. They should be fired and charged with battery.

[Kay]

They did not smell alcohol and a blood test was performed - nothing illegal in his system. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I think they should always be professional regardless of what someone is suspected of doing. Remember our country is supposed to uphold the idea of innocence until proven guilty. More disturbing to me was the ones that stood by and said nothing and offered no assistance. Is there a pattern here?

[Vince]

Smacks of racism. They should fire the deputy.

[TLS]

This is a classic case of frustration on the part of the Sheriff. Men & women wearing the uniform are tired of dealing with Thugs and their antics.

The use of force was justified. Don't flee from the police and get arrested and you won't be abused. Simple.

[Yusef]

Cutter is right. I want that Sharpton and Jesse down here apologizing on behalf of those wild animals.

[Gene Gregory]

This action was deplorable, all Deputies involved should not only be fired, but the Deputy that commited the offence charged with assault & battery under the (Americans with Dissibilities Act) and the others charged as assessories after the fact for not taking any action and trying to hide the fact by not reporting in or writing reports on the incident.

Law enforcement afficers take an oath to protect and serve and are held to a higher standared than the general public.

There are always two sides to every story. Every situation is different and must be handeled in a different manor.

This was not a life threatning situation where an Officer must make a instant decision

I can think of at least half a dozen different ways to handle this incident.

This incident gives every Police Officer in the nation a black eye,

Gene Gregory, 24 years in Law Inforcement and disabled!

[David]

The other deputies don't even react. Proof this type of thing is common. They should all be fired. There are good people who want those jobs.
Don't give them any money! Use your vote!

[Marra]

HEY SUZIE!

aren't we ignorant this morning? there was NO substances found in his system and they had NO right to use force on a paralyzed man. What could he possibly have threatened them with?! The sheriff is the one who belongs behind bars.

[ab]

It's all about common courtesy and a sense of human decency, neither of which were displayed by these officers. I realize that they see a lot of stuff, but this situation could have been handled better.

[Ann]

I hate to say it, but can you imagine the outcry if this had been a white cop and a black man in the wheelchair!

[Jack]

WOW!! For all of those that keep talking about DUI, HE DIDN'T GET ONE!!! As for "running from the police", he was cited for "alluding"...this is a weak form of no immediately stopping when they tell you to. I don't know why that is, but the man obviously is going very far. He wasn't arrested for that offense, but was given a ticket...don't you think he would have seen the cuffs at the original incident if it were severe?

I'm a conservative at heart, but there is no justification here. I personally don't have a problem with an officer beat-down after a person is arrested for DUI. However, that is simply not the case here. This is an abuse of authority and nothing more.

[Dell Devane]

I too am confined to a wheelchair, so I have additional insite to this situation.
The arresting officer knew for a fact this guy was disabled and confined to a wheelchair. Case closed at this point. HPD/TPD will receive exactly what they deserve in this situation. The sherrif's head should be the first to roll, and I suspect he knows he is in a serious situation.

[TC]

PJ, your an idiot! I hope you get caught doing something stupid and get treated the same way this guy did.. see how you feel. Not to even mention the guy wasn't under the influence.. read the story, that is if you can read!

I was attacked by six African Americans and beaten with clubs on the head until unconscious and with hearing damage on one of our military bases. No police report either! Only a free ride via ambulance to the hospital. Base Police did NO follow-up!

[jeff]

Anyone with an IQ above 10 knows this was a crime committed by the sheriff's office. All those involved should be fired. I am tired of these police officers who get suspended WITH PAY. What the hell is that all about!! They get to kick back at home and get paid for being suspected of doing a crime. I think nationally any police officer suspected of a crime should have to attend courses, while suspended, related to the crime they are suspected of committing. If they are found guilty they should have to pay for the courses and then receive proper punishment. NO MORE SITTING AT HOME COLLECTING TAXPAYER MONEY WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN SUSPECTED OF WRONGDOING!!!!

[Rex]

She should be charged with a felony -

He should sue her, the county, and whoever else.

What an idiot. Now you have to go find another $8/hr job...

[Tim]

I am a little behind here.. What actually prompted the deputy to dump him out of his wheelchair in the first place ?
NOTHING justifies dumping a quadriplegic onto the floor !!! I could go off on some "black/white" issue but why ?? The bottom line is this: the deputy needs to be charged with assault and battery and the others should be suspended/fired for standing there and not coming to the mans aid...

[Matt]

I think it was racist and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson should be crying out for all to take a stand against this racism. A black deputy dumps a paralized white guy; that's racism. There should be an outcry!!!!!!! Where's Jim Brown; c'mon!!!!!!!!!

[Matt]

Hey PJ(Punk Jackass), should we take the guy to court and just dump him in front of the judge and jury?? You're an idiot!

[antiPJ]

Hey PJ here's a poem for you, maybe this will help you understand the situation better.

"First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me."
-Pastor Martin Niemöller

And this is EXACTLY where America is headed

[Steve]

I'm really sorry to see what happened to the guy in the wheel-chair. My comment is to celebrate that the sherrif's office is exposed as it is. Sure, i don't mind when they handle known criminals, who are just being difficult, a little rough, but they do it with everyone they stop, everyone they haul in, like they hate the world and we all owe them something. I've been stopped once or twice, for nothing really, and experienced it first hand. As a law abiding citizen I have no respect nor shed no tears for these so-called peace officers. This whole story only confirms my attitude.

[ricco]

NEWS UPDATE: VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "CHARLEY CRIST" WHERE ARE YOU?
AT THIS POINT THERE WOULD HAVE AT LEAST BEEN A PRESS RELEASE IF "JEB BUSH" WERE STILL GOVERNOR..

HOW WOULD THAT HANDICAP MAN BEING DUMPED OUT OF HIS WHEEL CHAIR LOOK IN A CAMPAIGN ADVERTISEMENT????
McCAIN/CRIST 2008 "Gitmo comes to florida jail". Turns out terorist have more rights than US citizens when it comes to Jail in Florida!!!! DO YOU GOVERNOR CRIST AS YOUR VICE PRESIDENT?

[terrorpolice]

The increase in unnecessary violence from local police forces around the country has come from the increasingly anti-democratic actions of federal law enforcement. The bravado and abuses of the Patriot Act, NSA wiretapping, sneak and peaks, fear mongering, checkpoints, "no liquids", etc. etc. etc. this culture of fear and terror has filtered down to the local levels. wake up america this is martial law.

[Carl]

As an employee of HCSO what we see happening with the lack of respect by the deputies and our citizens does not surprise me. The deputies are treated this way by the Sheriff and his staff. Remember that over a period of time one becomes a mirror image of the environment they are in. This incident is a reflection of the self image that has been put in place by the Sheriff.

[jim]

Suzie, darling....another woman who can't understand normal thinking...the man's test came back negative for DUI..why don't you READ the article in the Times? You silly woman who can't understand normal thinking!

[Alicia]

PJ- Read the full story and get the facts straight....he was not under the influence.

This is just wrong and uncalled for...I hope Brian sues the crap out of Hillsborough County Sheriffs office and the a-hole who mistreated him should get fired and knocked around. Hillsborough Sheriffs need to focus on REAL CRIME!!!

[terrorpolice]

Carl:you are right about the deputies reflecting the leadership of the sheriff, but the sheriff is simply reflecting the image that he is getting from federal law enforement, the patriot act, gwb, cheney, the AG, and the neocon fear mongers. have to see the bigger picture here.

[Mike]

This is just the typical actions of most law enforcement officers, just caught on tape. Not all but a majority of law enforcement officers have this God complex anymore that they feel like they can do what they want to who they want and no one will say or do anything to them. In this case, whether or not the man in the wheelchair was suspected of DUI has nothing to do with the fact that this man was treated like a piece of trash. It's deplorable and what's more as has been said before where are all the so called 'civil rights' leaders. Is it too embarrassing that the officers were black and the victim white?

[Gail]

SUZIE AND PJ, BOTH OF YOU ARE IDIOTS. FULL OF HATE AND BOTH VERY STUPID . GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU POST

[me]

how does his right side "feel strange" if he is paralyzed from the chest down... ?

[John]

I think it was freaking awesome to see a guy fall out of his wheel chair and like i was laughing to hard it was so funny.

[Don]

Suzie, were your comments made just to get people worked up? or are you really that stupid?

[ricco]

HELLO GOVERNOR CRIST!

DO I SEE A COVER-UP IN THE WORKS BY THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT???

THIS WILL NOT LOOK GOOD FOR GOVERNOR CRIST ON HIS RESUME FOR "VICE PRESIDENT" IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN!!!

[ricco]

MAYBE SUZIE SWALLOWS HER PRIDE AT THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT......?????

SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER INVESTIGATION??

WE NEED PEOPLE WITH INTEGRITY TO STEP FORWARD AND TURN IN THEIR FELLOW OFFICERS; IF WRONG DOING IS SUSPECTED!

[Josh]

I thought the video was funny. I'm sorry, no sh*t cops are corrupt. The government is corrupt. Nobody cares because nobody wants to upset their own little comfort level. Awww, did this video make you feel bad? Don't worry, just go back to your posh daily lives driving around in your SUV's and watching your big screen TV and you'll forget all about crippy boy being thrown on the floor by some angry pigs.

[Jamie]

Well i think this is all crap and maybe every body should go to jail for hate crime because were all racist at sometimes and you know what how about we all get drunk and get arrested for DUI huh? How bout that?

[mhs7386]

Where was Sheriff Gee at yesterday's press conference about this? Why does he ALWAYS SHOVE JOSE DeCOBO out on negative stories?

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this over the years.

[macctenn]

very unfortunate incident, I hope Brian sues and eventually owns half of Hillsborough County. As far as Charlette, the Deputy, if she gets fired, Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson will be here ASAP

[Amanda]

The deputy probably wasn't very qualified for her job in the first place, but was just hired to fill the "minority" quota. I wish we didn't have to deal with all these race issues and could hire people according to their skill, integrity, and job performance. The major problem is that there seems to be a lack of all the above in today's society.

[Dave]

Her actions speak for herself and I think she should immediately be fired. Today she has said she will offer an explanation – I can’t wait to hear that.

There should be a criminal investigation by the Sate Attorney office and any potential charges should be pursued regardless of her service.

Finally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement needs to investigate this as a pattern of potentially widespread civil rights violations within the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. The Sheriff has done a nice job of immediately coming out against this and offering an apology (I suspect this is an attempt to distance the department form this and treat it as an isolated incident (“spin”). I am NOT convinced that this is an isolated incident since THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE PERSON INVOLVED. The casual nature of the supervisors (one was even laughing) to me suggests this is an acceptable practice and something they have experienced before. I am not convinced that the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Department can investigate themselves objectively – the FDLE must get involved.

This victim now deserves (and I am sure will seek) compensation for any damages. Guess who pays for that? YOU AND I will pay for the careless disregard by this deputy and the poor supervision she received.

I am calling governor Crist today to suggest he initiate an investigation by the FDLE. Please don’t just post a message here. Get involved by calling the governors office or the local council members.

[Jim Brown]

I believe this puts very bad image on patrol,det,etc. They should be the first to be screming foul!! Birds of a feather you know.Totaly wrong and for sure if he were black everything would come to a screeching halt till all dem honky's got the f---- boot. Good Lord!!! See how fast this dissapears. I hope this Sherrif don't drag his feet while everyone is watching.Sad days are coming. Prepare Thyself

[Jim Brown]

I believe this puts very bad image on patrol,det,etc. They should be the first to be screming foul!! Birds of a feather you know.Totaly wrong and for sure if he were black everything would come to a screeching halt till all dem honky's got the f---- boot. Good Lord!!! See how fast this dissapears. I hope this Sherrif don't drag his feet while everyone is watching.Sad days are coming.

[ROGER]

This goes on all the time. All of the inmates are treated as animals. Pasco does the same thing. The deputies are real tough in the jail with their "backup" right there. I witnessed a former inmate of Pasco County jail confront an off dutie Jail Guard "show me how tough you are now" in a Publix store. The deputy dropped his groceries and ran out of the store like a little school girl. The Deputy and the Sr officers from that shift should all be fired immediately.

[LeeLee]

To everyone who reads this: please email or call Al Sharpton at his National Action Network Organization and ask him when he's showing up to defend the rights of this man?! Ditto for Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow Coalition. If these guys are really for equality, then they'll step up and express their moral indignation over how Mr. Sterner was treated!

[Ron]

Why do they say "there's always one rotten apple in the barrel" - This expression is always used when a bad cop surfaces...We seem to hear it an awful lot. Remember, police are a necessary evil (period).

Josh-
I just wanted to say that your comment made absolutely no sense whatsoever. None. Let's break it down:
1. You thought someone getting battered was funny.
2. It's not the cops' fault, it's the government's.
3. Nobody cares.
4. If you do care, that means you're wealthy.

.... what? Try pulling your head out of your a** and being somewhat coherant before you make any more ignorant statements.

[Haven]

Clearly a case of racism - smug, fat, black deputies taking out the chips on their (very wide) shoulders on a helpless quadriplegic. Disgusting hate crime. They need to weed out the quota hires at the sheriff's dept.

[Chris]

Exactly right with the poem antiPJ.

FIGHT BACK, BRIAN STERNER!!!!!!

JOHN, YOU ARE A MORON. I THINK THAT IS PRETTY FREAKING FUNNY

[Joe G.]

This was a HATE CRIME.

But it won't get national attention, and John Mellencamp won't write a song about what happened to this guy!

What is wrong with our country?

[ROGER]

THE DEPUTY HAS BECOME AN OUTRIGHT ANIMAL. HOW CAN SHE MISTREAT A TOTALLY DISABLED HUMAN BEING IN THE ABUSIVE PHYSICAL ASSAULT OF THIS GUY? THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT THE MORE IT BOTHERS ME. tHE SUPERVISORS, AND THE WITNESSES ALL NEED TO BE FIRED. IF THEY DID NOT GO TO THEIR SUPERIORS AND REPORT IT, THEY ALL SHOULD BE CHARGED AS ACCESSORIES, BEFORE AND AFTER THE ASSAULTING OF A DISABLED PERSON ". AND YES ALL CAPS BECAUSE I AM YELLING !!!!!

[ROGER]

JOE G........IT IS GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION, ALL THE MAJOR NEWS OUTLETS ARE REPORTING IT, AND INTERVIEWING MR. STERNER LIVE. THEY ARE ALL REPORTING THAT GEE WILL NOT COMMENT AT ALL, AND ALL THE INMATES ARE ON LOCKDOWN FOR FEAR OF REPRISAL !!!!!

[A]

I'm a little confused....The deputies are all black and he is white? Had the tables been turned there would be such an outrage from everyone about racism. Why is it not the same when a white person is dealing with it??? Seems very unfair to me!!!!!

[TB]

PJ needs to get his facts!! They did a blood test and it was clean!!!!! PJ must be a male!!!!!!!!!

[Johnson]

The bottom line is the use of force is justified. These detention deputies are trained to be surly. It's jail. They have to have malice all the time. I would bet this and much worse goes on all the time there, just based on the casual reaction (or non-reaction) of the bystanders. But these people are brought in because they've been arrested, and if you're arrested you are bad. They did what they had to do.

THey should be fired...period

[ROGER]

OPEN LETTER TO SHERIFF GEE>
After the brutal assault of a totally disabled inmate, I hope your action is swift and final. Not only should the Deputy commiting the assault, all of the Deputies, especially the supervisor, that witnessed the assault, and FAILED TO REPORT IT, should be terminated, and charged as accessories before and after the fact. Only a cowardly, low life of a human could do that to another helpless human being. The deputy involved is no better than people charged with exploiting, raping, or assaulting the disabled.
Anything less than termination of all involved or present would be a whitewash. The national media is covering this incident like white on rice.
READERS....PLEASE COPY THIS AND SEND IT TO THE HCSO VIA E-MAIL. FLOOD SHERIFF GEE TO FORCE HIM TO HANDLE THIS THE RIGHT WAY, AND TO RESOLVE ALL THE BRUTALITY AT THE JAIL.

Whoa! whoa! let's hear the deputy's side.The victim has already cashed-in his macluhanees and got the lawyer to boot. What prompted this woman to do this? The deputy was smirking because he she was cooked ober this.

PJ IS AN IDIOT. HEAD'S IN THE TOILET. WHAT'S PJ STAND FOR PORTA JOHN??

[ROGER]

DEPUTY'S SIDE....ARE YOU A MORON ? DID YOU SEE THE VIDEO ? HE DID NOTHING BUT SAY HE WAS A QUADRAPLEGIC AND UNABLE TO STAND UP. SHE DUMPED HIM ON HIS FACE TO THE FLOOR !

No....Psycho Jerk

[Neil]

I have a couple questions. What exactly did he do to end up in jail? Another question I have is how he ended up in a wheelchair? He definitely had to say something to the Sheriff to provoke her to dump him on the ground. I don't think he broke anything but he was playing it up on the Today Show like he might have broke something even though he knows he didn't. I agree that if this situation was a black person getting dumped by a white from a wheelchair it would have been on every news channel. I think people should be treated with diginity but I have to find out all the facts before I can decide if the Sheriff was provoked.

[Whitey]

Right on A.. if this situation were reversed every black activist would be up in arms pulling the race card. Where are they now?? Oh, I forgot... all us white people deserve it becuase of they way we treated every other race from the beginning of time....

[Matthew]

http://odmp.org/

Paste link before making general statements about "pigs" and cops/ deputies.

These deputies were wrong... but are a minority among many many heroes who have o fight a war in our streets with no lines drawn and rarely a clear mission.

Thank you LEO's for your service and God bless the MANY fallen, as well as the LEO's who will continue to sacrifice daily.

Blessed are the peace makers...

[QB1]

Message to Johnson:

So you feel that the use of force is justified on a paralyzed man? What threatening action did he or can he make to the officers? Try to keep up here.....the man is paralyzed. Your lack of common sense reeks.

The action of dumping him out of the chair was done for humiliation and bullying...plain and simple. Every officer that participated in the event should be fired. All officers that witnessed the event and did nothing to step in should be demoted with a loss in salary.

Deputy Robert Max Suarez
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Sunday, September 3, 1944
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Sergeant Ben P. Wilder Jr.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Sunday, July 22, 1962
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Sergeant Donald C. Williams
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Monday, June 12, 1967
Cause of Death: Heart attack

Deputy Sheriff Lee A. Hutchinson
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Saturday, July 25, 1970
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Deputy Sheriff James A. Allen
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Tuesday, May 21, 1974
Cause of Death: Heart attack

Corporal Lemon Harvey
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Tuesday, December 15, 1981
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Frederick Thomas Clark Sr.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Thursday, May 7, 1987
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Deputy Sheriff Donna Marie Miller
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Friday, May 8, 1987
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Deputy Sheriff David Anthony Abella
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Sergeant Ron Harrison
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Cause of Death: Gunfire

Just saw the complete video where we see Brian being wheeled in to the office. He gives some kind of a salute with his right arm. Are we all victims of a deplorable hoax?

[ROGER]

NEIL....WHY DON'T YOU READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE YOU COMMENT. HE DID NOTHING BUT GET ARRESTED FOR DUI (HE PASSED THE TEST AND WAS NOT DUI), HE TOLD THE DEOUTY HE WAS A QUADRIPLEGIC AS A RESULT OF A WRESTLING ACCIDENT 13 YRS AGO. HE IS AN UPSTANDING CITIZEN WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORD WHATSOEVER, AND A FINE CITIZEN WHICH YOU WOULD KNOW IF YOU BOTHERED TO READ THE ARTICLE. HE COULDN'T STAND UP. SHE DUMPED HIM ON THE FLOOR......IMBECIL.

1:30...
Article says he has some use of his arms. That's why he's able to drive a car with hand pedals.

[Monkeyface Jones]

The comments to this article alone speaks volumes about Florida.

I was attacked by several africans with feathers and bones in their hair. They were carrying spears and clubs. Nobody came to my defense!!

OK, thats a joke. Do you see the BS spin being put on this case and how easy it is to get off track on something like this? This was one woman acting horribly. Its not racial. I hope she is fired, I hope the man is paid for his pain and suffering, and I hope everyone moves on.

[Right]

I think it was wrong that they dumped him out of his chair but at this point the guy is a whiner! Lets get Christ and and someone from the Federal Goverment involved? For what? It's plain and simple, she didnt think he was telling the truth, he got dumped, these deputies deal with liars and cheats all day who have attitudes and serious issues, why would she think he was different, I agree there were so many better ways to find if he was telling the truth, but this guy is a joke. The only reason he wants Sheriff Gee to apologize is so he can go to court with it when he sues. Your a JOKE!

[Steve]

Roger, why so angry? You need to re-read the article before you start flaming. He was arrested on a felony warrant for "feeing and attempting to elude" that occured on October 25, 2007. Unless you know him personally, how can you say he is an upstanding (no pun intended) citizen. Also, could you please explain how any of the supervisors who witnessed what happened did anything that would legally be considered an "accessory". Assuming you actually know what the Florida Statutes say.

[Steve]

Right, exactly right. I have a hard time figuring out what exactly her would sue for. He seems perfecty healthy anought both mentally and physically to get on a plane and seek out his 15 minutes of fame in NYC. I am not condoning what happened to him and the female guard should be fired but, if he is not injured then move on. He still has a felony case pending and whatever happened at the jail is not going to change the facts that led up to that. Unless he is just using this to preassure the SAO to drop his other case.

[Jeff]

The Deputy thought he was someone posing as a "QUADRIPLEGIC". I honestly feel that she thought this guy was faking it. Why else would you dump someone like that ? of course, she felt stupid when he fail to the ground and couldnt get up.

Thank God the camera was rolling or the Sheriffs office would call this man a liar. I hate bad cops and these animals are a perfect example as to why we need better trained, educated and understanding people who wear badges. This man had rights and they were greatly violated, no matter if he committed a crime or not.

FIRE THEM ALL, AND ALL OTHERS LIKE THESE HORRIBLE EXAMPLES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Neil]

Roger, there is nothing in the above article about what he got arrested for or how he ended up in the wheelchair, or else I wouldn't have asked. How do you know he is an "upstanding citizen"? Apparently he couldn't hold his job so I am not sure how "upstanding" he is.

[ToddN]

Hey Ms. Marshall-Jones:

I hear the TSA is hiring. You'd fit right in.

[pia]

PJ - if you read the paper, he was not under the influence of drugs or anything else for that matter, he was arrested for failing to pay a ticket. If anyone ever did anything like that to my child who is disabled, I'd be in jail for assaulting the DUMB COP, she deserves everything that's coming to her.

[Joe G.]

No, when I wrote "national attention" I meant the quality and duration of national attention that "white on black" hate crimes get - attention with "legs", attention that includes celebrities and politicians!

***ORIGINAL POST***
This was a HATE CRIME.

But it won't get national attention, and John Mellencamp won't write a song about what happened to this guy!

What is wrong with our country?

[dionysis]

This video is shocking. The nonchalance of everyone in the office is appalling. The abuses in the jail should concern us all- these cops will arrest you for little or nothing then you go to see Tamika or whatever other Scrabble name she has. They should all be fired and charged.

How can anyone say they agree with this treatment of a disabled man. Come on people, this has to stop! Who gives, if he's white, black, or purple!

[TES]

Sheriff Gee has issued an apology to Mr. Sterner. What do you say to that PJ or Suzie? Maybe you should just goosestep back to whatever holes you crawled out of.

[Berni Wheeler]

So lets see - I slow down to look for an address - crap how did I get on the wrong street? quick left to go round the block - one way!! dangit. now I fling my arm in disgust (and probably cuss a little) with the situation and make another turn hoping to come out where I need to be. I have not been looking behind me. I don't think I did anything wrong so I am not looking at who the cops are chasing. Who has not done this!?!?! Suddenly.. there are cops around me and I get treated like a peice of trash for "running" from the cops? I was "dis-oriented" and gave "strange" statements because I didn't know exactly where I was? This man should get anything he asks for!!! That cop should have immediately lost her job & received criminal abuse / neglect charges on top of it!!

[Albert Gray]

It amazes me that in 2008, there are people like PJ and Suzie who believe what they want to believe and never mind the facts! As countless others have said, READ the whole article, before you begin to judge him! He was NOT charged with DUI! He took a DUI test and passed it with flying colors, obviously you two failed to even read that part!

[Berni Wheeler]

The minute he fell to the ground you could see how helpless he was and she kept right on treating him like crap. Even to the point of attepmting to drag him back into his chair. If she really COULDNT tell then she is too stupid to be in that uniform!! btw - I dont care what color anyone is.

[Dee]

I am a college educated African American. It is stereotypical to portray any gender or race in a monolithic manner. A number of my friends and colleagues view the video as a despicable, inhumane act towards all human beings, regardless of the race of the victim.

[David]

No doubt about it, everyone in the video should be Fired, no paid admin leave., fired right now today!

[Lee]

There are two sides to every story. We are hearing only one side and though this was horrible, this guy seems quite melodramatic about the whole deal. Why is no one talking about the paraplegic saying he wanted a "blue eyed officer not a brown eyed one" anymore? Though it does not excuse the action, it is important to hear all sides of every story.

[Samantha]

That is just mean. I don't even care if he was paralized from the waist down or not, that is just mean to dump any human out of their wheelchair. How would the cop who did this to that man like it if he did that to her? The man has it hard enough as it is being paralized. I hope the deputy burns in hell.

[Joe G.]

Lee: "There are two sides to every story." Lee, that is what the white racists said in response to the Rodney King beating and the Jena 6 incident. All that you are telling us is that you are a black racist - big deal. Most of us know that idiots come in all colors, thanks for reinforcing that fact with your personal example.

[Kev]

Dee,

I'm a college educated white American and had this situation been a black man in a wheel chair, then I would have been just as appalled; however, race does matter here...I think what you are hearing in many comments throughout is that people are tired of Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton screaming to the aid of an African American when something unjust happens to them and assuming that everything is racial...I'm not a racist, but what I believe is that fair is fair...I want political leaders and celebrities down there in Florida fighting for this guy and assuming that its racial, since we know that is what Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would have assumed immediately...I hate to bring race into this topic, because its about the individual in the wheel chair, but I want those two ladies fired and even the smuck (who happened to be white) who was laughing while he watched this happen...As an American period, I want justice for this man, and I would love to see if Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson really believe in equality...I have a feeling if things get worse for these two lady deputies that they would end up coming to their aid...

[Joe G.]

Thank you, Kev. AMEN.

[Lynn-Marie]

Everyone who was in the room and saw what was done to this fellow SUFFERING Human Being should be FIRED ON THE SPOT AND HAVE CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST THEM NOW. Did you see the boss LAUGHING?? I AM ASHAMED TO SAY I AM FROM FLORIDA. Seeing people who are in a position of " POWER" treat a fellow human this way has broken my heart. Tampa Bay sure has a lot of ignorant low lifes who get away with even more than this when the cameras are not watching. What is wrong with these sub humans?? I have had it with the way Florda gets busted in front of the nation, then officials act like they care for a while, just long enough for the spot light to fade and then they do nothing and it happens again. Any one who would do something like that is EVIL without an ounce of compassion and THEY need to be locked UP NOW!!

[ROGER]

Sheriff Gee is an outright liar. This type of behavior at the jail is not an isolated incident. The deputies and supervisors operate this way routinely. Inmates, regardless of charges, ar routinely verbally abused, by the ANIMALS they call DEPUTIES. They are worse than the people they are supposed to be in charge of....the inmates. Gee is aware of it, he has been told of many incidents that go unreported, and not investigated. He either refuses to look into these allegations, feels he can't resolve the issues, or he CONDONES it. I personally hope Mr Sterner sues in Federal Court for Civil rights violations, and the taxpayers of Hillsborough County pay millions in damages. Maybe then they will realize they have allowed this incompetent Sheriff to remain in his position.
CHARLETTE MARSHALL - JONES, SGT. GARY HINSON, CPL.STEVEN DICKEY, CPL. DECONDRA WILLIAMS, ALL NEED TO BE TERMINATED NOW,NOT LATER.
They need to loose their pensions, and any matched funds the taxpayers have made to 401K's etc. If Gee does anything less, he needs to be recalled by the voters of Hillsborough County, and sent packing in shame and disgrace. RESIDENTS DO NOT ALLOW A COVER UP

Posted by: ROGER | February 13, 2008 at 04:01 PM

Furthermore...this will send a message to the deputies that will remain in their jobs YOU MAY BE BEHINED LOCKED DOORS AND IMPERMIABLE WALLS, YOU ARE NEVER OUT OF SIGHT. YOU CONTINUE TO BE ABUSIVE ON YOUR JOB....YOU WILL PAY DEARLY. INMATES DO HAVE RIGHTS, CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU BELIEVE, AND YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY YOUR SUPERIORS.
SHAPE UP OR GET OUT !

[Adam McDeen]

Some idiot said "This is a classic case of frustration on the part of the Sheriff. Men & women wearing the uniform are tired of dealing with Thugs and their antics."

If they tire wearing the uniform, if they don't want to do the job correctly anymore, then do what the rest of us do and quit!

If you don't want to be a cop then, duh, don't be a cop. Hard concept to follow?

I think what needs to happen is the entire police department receive a cleansing enema resulting in the termination of every single last officer in that criminallly corrupt organization. Start over, it is so rank it can not be saved.

[Ray]

Keep voting Republican because this is what you get. The Ignorant Elected Republicans treat the working class like dirt who then take it out on public.

[Steve]

Roger, you are so clueless it's not even funny. Exactly what civil right was violated? And assuming you can find one, then tell me why it is worth millions? Clearly Mr. Stermer has no damages. We don't reward people for getting their feelings hurt? Waht happened was embarrassing but that's it. He sufferrred no injury.

[DS]

Id like to see that retarded Cow strapped to a wheel chail and thrown off a 12 story Bldg, lets see how she likes it as we all stand by and laugh at her!!!

[ROGER]

STEVE....THE GUY WAS ELUDING AT 5 MPH...THE COP CHARGED HIM WITH THAT BECAUSE HE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE HANDICAPPED GUY TO STOP....C'MON WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

[ROGER]

STEVE I DIDN'T WANT GET TO THIS.....YOU ARE AN IMBECIL. WHAT RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED, 1 YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO not BE PHYSICALLY ABUSED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. HE WAS VIOLATED UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, AND THE LAW PROVIDES HE HAS THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY HIS PEERS, NOT SOME DEPUTY WHO ADMINISTERS BRUTALITY TO GET HIM TO DO WHAT SHE WANTS. IF YOU ARE CONDONING HER ACTIONS, I THINK YOU NEED YOUR HEAD EXAMINED. YOU HAVE A CONCENTRATION CAMP MENTALITY.

[Tony]

Well, gotta stick my 2 cents in!! I'm a quad, too, due to car accident, right around Sterner's level of injury, and I can tell you I probably would've eaten concrete with my face. I was surprised he was able to turn a little to protect his face. It is a very dangerous fall when you fall completely limp to hard floor - believe me, I've done it!! The Police are very lucky Sterner didn't end up with a bloody face or brain injury. I've known other quads to break bones easily because everything is weaker in our paralyzed area, lack of muscle/circulation/bone strength. I think the callous treatment and lack of humanity is appalling. This is NOT the America I want our tax dollars to pay for. As for the sum of money he should get, the $100k is plenty sufficient, but the cops involved should lose their job immediately, sending a CLEAR message that this will not be swept under some political carpet.

[ROGER]

Detention Deputies are made up of all the Patrol candidates that didn't make it. They are frustrated cops.....not real cops. They take out their frustrations on everyone, including their girlfriends.

[Rodger]

Who ever said jail was fun or fair? if you find yourself there then what ever happens happens. but when you can prove abuse by the jail and legal system then your just luckier then the rest. they can throw me around the room for the kind of pay day this guy is going to get. its not racial - its detention gaurd against jail bird.

[ROGER]

Ray....the Republicans have nothing to do with it. That is a ridiculous observation...I'll give you one...IF THE LEFT WING DEMS HAD THEIR WAY IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, CONVICTED CHILD RAPISTS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO WAVE THEIR EXPOSED PENISES AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHILE TRAFFIC PROCEEDS AS NORMAL.

[cjrend]

We have been down there 3 times lately looking at property to relocate and retire. After seeing this appalling incident by Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones is so upsetting that we WILL NOT BE RELOCATING in the Tampa Bay area. I can't believe how calm and uncaring the other 3 officers were during this incident. You can bet that if this had been just reversed racially, all hell would be breaking loose. I also bet that Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson are packing their suitcases right now in anticipation of Charlette's possible firing.

[ROGER]

NEIL....THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ARTICLES ON THIS GUY. THEY DID HIS BIO. HE WAS JUST LAID OFF AFTER 10 YEARS, ON HIS JOB SERVING AS THE PRESIDENT OF AN AGENCY THAT AIDS HANDICAPPED PEOPLE. HE LASO PLAYED ORGANIZED SPORTS IN HIS WHEELCHAIR, BASKETBALL, RUGBY , HOCKEY ETC. THIS IS A REAL UPSTANDING, WELL ADJUSTED HUMAN BEING, EVEN AFTER HIS TRAGIC LIFE CHANGING ACCIDENT. TRUST ME ....HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WILL PAY EITHER IN DOLLARS, OR RESPECT, HONOR, TRUST....BIG TIME

[ROGER]

HOW ABOUT SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED IN PASCO COUNTY JAIL ADDING SOME FUEL TO THE FIRE ?

[FishPoison]

Dee....Your comments are correct in a perfect world now that we all know that the rest of the black community needs to let Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson know this is the way they feel. Of course anyone with common sense knows this won't happen because if the situation were reversed we would be having to clean up after the roit it Tampa....If you don't believe that just look at what happened to Imus and he never touched anyone. Please people just open your eyes and it is very clear what is going on here.

[ROGER]

THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY NENERAL NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS, NOT THE BIASED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY.

[BOB]

Your shoulders are above your chest so he isnt quadrapelegi he is just parapelegic as he is on the floor he is moving his own arms please any one curious as to the difference of each affliction Google it or get dictionary and do same damn reading

[Arlene]

This video is a disgusting display of abuse of power by Tampa Sheriff Deputies.

I hope this man sues the State of Florida, the City of Tampa, and goes on every talk show.

Too much aggression and not enough brains for the Tampa Sheriff's Department personnel.

[Scrivener's Error]

It gets so tiring to watch this disparity between how we in this country treat minorities who commit crimes and how we treat non-minorities who commit criimes!

The white race is being discriminated against everyday but it ALWAYS gets overlooked and why?

I've read this at lesat a dozen times after this incident - if this was a white cop dumping a handicapped black man out of his wheelchair, there'd be riots occuring as we speak! THINK ABOUT IT!!! IT'S TRUE!!

But what are we doing as white folks? We're sitting here on our complacent a's writing on a stupid blog...We need to be represented like the African Americans are!

Where are our Al Sharptons and Jesse Jackson's??

[Arlene]

Bob, did you know that a quadraplegic can move their arms? However they have no control over their movements.

I suggest you find out more information before you mouth off.

[sm]

had this man been black and the officers white, jesse and the crew would be on a plane to tampa with megaphones and picket signs in front of the jail.who will stand up for the parapelegic dumped on the floor

[NotLE]

Unforgiveable - They are trained to deal with people disabled and or hostitle. You Sergeants walking around and acting like you didn't see anuthing are as guilty as that disgraceful duty. You don't deserve to keep your jobs.

[Tracy]

Paraplegic or quadradraplegic...does that really matter? I am quite certain that this won't make it to an episode of Inside America's Jails of which several episodes have appeared from the Orient Road Jail!!

[Not an ex-con]

I have never seen the inside of a jail house but still believe in our basic rights that all are innocent until proven guilty. That includes anyone going through Central Booking at the Hillsborough County Jail!

If Charlotte Marshall-Jones' reason for dumping Mr. Sterner out of his wheelchair is because she did not recognize he is physically disabled then she must be mentally disabled and we do not need someone of her limited intellect working in a position of power. If she did this with malicious intent, as I truly believe she did from watching the video, then she needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for assault on a disabled person just as any one of us would be.

Sheriff Gee: This is not a breach of 'policy' this is a crime and needs to be treated as such!

State Attorney's Office: You have video evidence of this crime and if charges are not pursued, then you need to drop all of your cases of assault. Do not pick and choose who you prosecute based on their profession!

Lastly, to the officer who arrested Mr. Sterner for 'fleeing and alluding an officer', aren't you ashamed and embarrassed to say that a quadriplegic fled and alluded you? Thanks for getting that 'criminal' off the streets and in jail for five days. Wow, you're good.

[Walter]

What part of "quadripelig" doesn't Deputy Marshall-Jones understand?
Could she write one paragraph explaining the meaning of the word?
She should be dismissed from the force

[Cheryl]

There is no way on God's green earth that you can make HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE believe this man deserved what happened to him! Abuse of any person White ,Black or otherwise is WRONG no matter who commits it! There is clearly no supervision at this jail and now the whole country has seen the video several times to see that this is clearly abuse! Whe a person is in custody they are dependent on the staff and gaurds for more than just their safety they are responsible for them as if they were their own children!They have no way out of the situation if some one in the jail staff decides to abuse their clients.I feel this family is owed more than just an apology! They are owed compensation for being in the position they were put in in the first place. Yes he may have a criminal record but he is a human being too!

[Disgruntled Tax Payer]

They treat her like a polition? If she were wouldn't it be a corupt one she
is a digrace to the uniform she puts on . She is no more than a criminal her self let her put on a uniform but a jail uniform. She then will be treated like the dirt bag she is.
I could careless about skin color or her genderor sexueal orientation ! Dishonorable and a shame she should be the one apologizing. With Her job. Her pension check should now be made out to the victim sterner. She dosent deserve the respect of any one here. Yes, her roomate or domestic partner sure they are lesbians to boot so lets add hate crime she must hate men in paticular... Hope a congressional hearing comes from this they are wasting enough time on doping in sports lets spend some time on Hate crimes and discrimination aginst the disabled >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[BOB]

Disgruntled Tax Payer has a point here ...who ever agrees lets see some afirmitive action in progress Hello

[Mimi]

I think the guard is a bully plain and simple.But I wonder if she would have dumped an African American cripple.Also people can be wrongly arrested.The guards in many jails are bullies.Its not a beauty or personality contest.Charlie Crist investigate?Fat chance he is too busy recommending pedophiles for DCF jobs.

[James]

Apparently some of you didn't see the same video I saw. That crippled man tried to run over the defenseless deputy with his wheelchair!Therefore that excuses anything she may have done.Oop's...did I see her jump in front of the wheelchair? Naw...she was just trying to save her partners life..!!You didn't see it?

[Matt]

I still cannot get over this act of cowardice towards someone with a disability from a professional LE Officer. Everyone who witnessed this deplorable act should not only be fired but also lose their pensions. Just firing them is giving them an early out with retirement pay.
Hopefully Steve's lawyer graduated somewhere near the top of his class and goes for the jugular!

Matt

[James]

Obviously, Charlette has a little much testosterone coursing her veins. Just ask Beverly!

PIGS!

[Rhonda]

What a joke! Look at the history of Law Enforcement. White officers have been treating the African Americans, Asians, and anyone else they choose this way. Funny how when the tables have turned there is an uproar.

[James]

I thought about calling David Duke. But we've all labeled him a racist. I'm sure Al and Jessie will give us a fair and balanced take. Anyone seen um?

[john b]

hopefully, justice with be served with termination of charlette marshall-jones and suspension's in order for the other's and NOT just several days.
in closing in house training to be conducted ASAP -

[James]

This will be my last post. I've bowed to any feelings I may have about race..any feelings I may feel about police officers or government in general. The truth is.. that to place any more responsibility on race or police officers as a populace is kinda ludicrous. We are humans..white...black...police officers..etc. Lets all say ...thats right!! Thats wrong!!!

Bob-
Maybe you're the one who should be doing the research. If someone is labeled as "blind", does that mean they can't see at all? No, it means their vision is significantly impaired to the point where they're legally considered blind. Quadriplegic doesn't mean they necessarily have NO movement, just a significant impairment due to the location of the injury.

[screw the cripple]

the cripple is scum and deserved what he got.

CJREND... in response to your comment... good!!! stay out of Tampa... nobody likes you.

in response to the rodney king comment... he got what he deserved... that scum bag.

screw all of you communists... you suck at life because you read the ST PETE LIES routinely.

i repeat... you suck at life... hurray HCSO!!!

[marley]

"The use of force was justified. Don't flee from the police and get arrested and you won't be abused. Simple."

?!?!?! What the heck does THAT mean? That it's ok to throw a guy out of a wheelchair because he had a traffic violation 3 months before? The supposed fleeing (at 5mph) took place in October and the gimp tossing took place in January. And where did this DUI stuff come from? There were no drugs or alcohol in his system. And the deputies weren't all black. All of this is SO obvious - what's with ya'll? So busy slinging mud that you don't actually WATCH the video or READ the articles? Yeah, I know - nobody is going to read this either...

[Kev]

Rhonda,

No one deserves this type of treatment...NO ONE!..I'm upset because there are no representives such as the NAACP, Al Sharpton, or even Jesse Jackson that are sticking up for this individual...If Al and Jesse are about equality, then where are they when someone like this gets abused?..To say a comment such as its different when the table is turned, well, I don't think anyone on here (except for ignorant people) has said Rodney King deserved what he got...Most of the people here are complaining that if the tables were turned (as you say) in this situation where a black man was in the wheel chair with two white cops then you know Tampa would be burned down right now...It doesn't matter who the victim is, but the white people want to be represented too...I'm tired of Ambercrombie and Fitch getting sued because they portray the upscale white society; however, FUBU gets away with their advertisements...HOW?..I don't mind BET (Black Entertainment Television), but what would happen if there was WET (White Entertainment Television)?..How silly is that when a white golf announcer makes a joking comment about Tiger Woods and Tiger even acknowledged that it was no big deal, but they wanted her prosecuted and fired...Granted, her decision to use an insensitive word (lynching) was a bad mistake, but come on...Al, Jesse, and the NAACP were all over it...How about the Duke University scandel?..Granted, rich spoiled kids having a party got out of hand, but the lady lied...Al, Jesse, and the NAACP were there the next day...All I want is equality...Its okay that the African Americans are represented, but don't get mad when the white people want someone to represent them...I'm not talking the KKK either...I want a representive for the white people who wants equality for all Americans whether they are white, black, Asian, Mexican and so on...

[Karen Oliver]

A quadriplegia is paralyzed from the neck down caused from a broken neck at a the cervical level It does not mean the person cannot regain some use of his arms through intensive therapy. Either way, the man was disabled, any moron can tell by looking at him. This action was deplorable. I would like to be a member of the jury in this lawsuit.

[crystalball]

You watch, if the deputy that dumped the disabled man on the floor is arrested and prosecuted, she will trump it all by just throwing down the Ace of Spades while the state buckles at their knees.

I work in a jail and I can assure you that this appaulable act of inhumanity would never occur in my place of employment. All of the deputies who sat back and watched this happen should not only be fired as well as the deputy who did the dumping, but should all be criminally charged as well. This is inexcusible and horrific treatment of a human being- irregardless of anyones "beliefs" regarding his being a criminal- (may I remind you that he has not been found gulity) And for all of you idiots that write that you agree with this, I pray you never have a family member that is trated in this manner. D

[Steve]

Roger, I will try to go slowly for you so that you can hopefully understand.

1. I would never ever try to justify the correctional officers actions, they are indefensible. Should she be fired, yes without doubt. Should she be prosecuted for assault, no. Attempted murder, no. Battery on a disabled person, that crime is located at 825.102 imposes as one of the elements "knowingly and willfully" abuses an elderly person. What if she really believed that he was not disabled or not as disabled as he really was? It might not work but it is a legitimate defense. Also, you have to understand the location you are dealing with. In most cases, you cannot sustain a battery prosecution against an officer in jail because, when you go to jail you give up a lot of your basic rights. Battery is a non-consensual touching. Taken to it's extreme any time an officer grabbed someone to move them in jail, the officer would be committing a battery.

2. You really need to understand the difference between criminal and civil law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and Local Government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications. It does not cover this situation as Mr. Sterner was not discriminated against. You may look to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). That act authorizes the US Attorney General to investigate conditions of confinement at jails, prisons, etc. The act does not give the Attorney General the right to represent individual persons or investigate isolated incidents. It's purpose is to correct widespread deficiencies, thus Mr. Sterner has no independent action under this act.

Mr. Sterner could try a personal injury action in State court however, he first has to get past the soverign immunity problem. Then, he has to show an "injury". Otherwise he gets no damages. Not to mention the limits placed on recovery. I suggest you read F.S. 768.28. Any physical injury he has suffered is so minimal that he had no problem flying to NYC to be on the TV circuit. He also appears to have no long lasting mental injury during his interviews.

3. The most likely reason for Mr. Sterner in bringing this up is not, the apology he wants but, the reduction or dismissal of his felony charge. Which, I hope we can agree, the facts of which have nothing to do with what happened at the jail. Whether he was stopped for eluding at 5mph or 105mph makes no difference (other than the level of felony). The crime is not stopping for the cops. Also, the day he was taken to the jail, he was taken there because of a warrant for the fleeing. He was arrested at his house. The alleged fleeing took place weeks earlier. So, someone approved that warrant, probably a State Attorney after the officer turned in the report. In any event, someone other than the original officer made the decision to issue a warrant for his arrest.

I appreciate your passion but, your comments and assertions are completely wrong and are dangerous when you spout off about thing about which you have no knowledge or experience.

[JD]

This and may other abusive and sadistic incidences are just plain wrong (regardless of anybody's race). This is just the tip of the iceberg. This isn't just one cop. It's the whole culture of the Sheriff's Office (& several other local LE agencies).

Steve, as quoted, "sovereign immunity problem" they are not Diplomats!

I have seen this in StPete also. Police do this all the time. They think they can do anything the want. I belive the naacp would have be