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
uppityperson
(115,674 posts)Sue their asses
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)They Serve to Protect...Their Own.
mackerel
(4,412 posts)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)and makes it more inexcusable. San Diego used to have a very good County Mental Health department. Sad....
jwirr
(39,215 posts)Both poor education and bigotry are active in this case and many others.
joshcryer
(62,265 posts)We need to stop the practice of not hiring intelligent people to be cops.
brett_jv
(1,245 posts)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)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
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)rgbecker
(4,806 posts)Sooner or later its going to lead to trouble.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)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.
father founding
(619 posts)Harass and kill
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)that explains a lot.