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uhnope

(6,419 posts)
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 12:58 AM Feb 2015

County admits deputy had no reason to stop or use force on man with Down syndrome

Source: ABC Channel 7 San Diego

SAN DIEGO - Team 10 has uncovered new information about a case involving a man with Down syndrome who was hit, pepper sprayed and arrested by a San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy.

Team 10's troubleshooter obtained new video where the county admits the deputy had no reason to stop Antonio Martinez or use force on him.

A lawsuit has been filed alleging excessive use of force, a violation of Martinez's constitutional rights, and questioning how law enforcement interacts and deals with mentally disabled people.

Antonio Martinez is 22 years old, but his school records and doctors say he functions at a 7-year-old's level.

Read more: http://www.10news.com/news/investigations/county-admits-deputy-had-no-reason-to-stop-or-use-force-on-man-with-down-syndrome



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mackerel

(4,412 posts)
3. Down syndrome facial features are very distinctive.
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 02:44 AM
Feb 2015

I'm surprised this officer didn't pick up on it immediately. This officers family must be very embarrassed by him. Basically picking on a kid.

KauaiK

(544 posts)
4. This is very true
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 02:57 AM
Feb 2015

and makes it more inexcusable. San Diego used to have a very good County Mental Health department. Sad....

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
12. I question if the police academies ever teach these thugs about who do identify any type of illness.
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 12:18 PM
Feb 2015

Both poor education and bigotry are active in this case and many others.

joshcryer

(62,265 posts)
5. Arrested for resisting arrest for not doing anything warranting an arrest.
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 02:57 AM
Feb 2015

We need to stop the practice of not hiring intelligent people to be cops.

brett_jv

(1,245 posts)
7. Of course, if he was a cherubic 17 yo white kid w/Downs named Anthony Martin ...
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 03:59 AM
Feb 2015

We'd probably see his tearful parents on teh news for days on end ... and the officer fired in disgrace as public outcry mounted ... as it should be.

As it is, though ... Antonio Martinez and his family ... will likely, sadly ... never know any sort of justice.

But heck, probably his family came here 'illegally' at some point, so ... you know ... these things happen for 'a reason' ...

 

OldRedneck

(1,397 posts)
8. From the movie theater to the morgue
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 05:27 AM
Feb 2015

26-yr-old Down Syndrome, moderately obese, went to movie. Wanted to stay and see the movie again. Told to leave. Aide with him tried to negotiate time to get another ticket or for the aide to deal with him; mall cops were called; they piled on; 26-yr-old freaked, struggled, went to the morgue.

Guess how many charges were placed against the cops.

Read this story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/syndrome-man-movies-ends-morgue/story?id=20046376

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
11. So technically this cop was beating up on a 7 year old. Were other cops present? I am afraid that
Tue Feb 24, 2015, 12:12 PM
Feb 2015

it is the cops who need to earn respect because we are seeing way to much of this to give them respect at this point. And I know I am lumping all cops into one group. If the police to do not stop this themselves then they are a group that approves of this.

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