Fullerton police admit cellphone video proves wrong man arrested

LA Times Blog ^ | 8-17-11 | LA Now

[Mr.Unique]

The embattled Fullerton Police Department acknowledged Wednesday that police arrested the wrong man for allegedly attacking an officer last year. The department has launched an internal investigation into how the mistake occurred.

snip

The video shows a different version of events than police described in their reports and testimony.

[Mr.Unique]

In police reports about the incident, Officer Frank Nguyen alleged that Mam jumped on another officer’s back and choked him. Nguyen wrote that he then pulled Mam off the officer’s back and pushed him away. The officer claimed that Mam continued to approach the officers, who arrested him.

During the trial, Nguyen and other officers repeated their claims about how the incident occurred. Prosecutors and Mam’s defense both showed the video.

Goodrich said the officers did not lie about the events, adding that there was another man who did jump on the officer’s back. But the officers erroneously believed Mam was that attacker, Goodrich said.

[driftdiver]

So these highly trained cops can’t identify the man they pulled off their buddies back?

[Revel]

Lesson number one. The police are always right, and they never lie.

[Joe 6-pack]

Fullerton may be unique in that it seems they could actually lower their crime rate by disbanding the PD.

[Joe 6-pack]

"So these highly trained cops can’t identify the man they pulled off their buddies back?"

These must have been rookies. They didn't beat the guy to death.

[markman46]

and that is why the guy go off, the FDP lied about the whole incident

[Sporke]

fine....I’ll say it.....it’s a good thing he didn’t have his dog there with him.... :-D

[Oztrich Boy]

So these highly trained cops can’t identify the man they pulled off their buddies back?

After they beat a 135lb homeless man into a coma. they released this photo, claiming it was the guy who also broke two officers bones (It wasn't and he didn't)

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Goodrich said the officers did not lie about the events, adding that there was another man who did jump on the officer’s back. But the officers erroneously believed Mam was that attacker, Goodrich said.

And if someone hadn't been recording the incident, an innocent man would be facing a prison sentence for assaulting an officer. This is why any cop who tries to prevent the recording of an arrest or any other interaction with the public should be fired.

[Auntie Mame]

What’s really bad is the prosecutor had to have had a copy of this cell phone video through discovery, and STILL prosecuted the man. Birds of a feather and all that....

[Auntie Mame]

Fullerton may be unique in that it seems they could actually lower their crime rate by disbanding the PD.

As in all comedy, there is always an element of truth. Best and funniest post on the thread.

[org.whodat]

I think the time has come for all cops to be wired with personal recorders and no arrest are ticket and /or traffic stop could be made without it, lying dirt bags.

[truthkeeper]

After they beat a 135lb homeless man into a coma. they released this photo, claiming it was the guy who also broke two officers bones (It wasn't and he didn't)

Yes, pretty despicable.

[truthkeeper]

I think the time has come for all cops to be wired with personal recorders and no arrest are ticket and /or traffic stop could be made without it, lying dirt bags.

The acting police chief (Hamilton) in the Kelly Thomas case has admitted that those officers did have audio recorders on their belts during that incident. Witnesses to the beating have stated that the police kept yelling "Stop resisting, stop resisting" long after the man had gone limp.

I can't wait to see the audio and video tape(s) synchronized.

[org.whodat]

False arrest settlement will cost the tax payers millions, these dirt bag cops need to be working at the city garbage collection center, after they get out of jail.

[GladesGuru]

“Yes, pretty despicable.”

You implied those cops were despicable.

The Redundancy Police will be knocking on your door any time.

;-)

[Vendome]

That dude looks kick azz.

Wonder if he is Lebowski’s crazy brother? /S

[Oztrich Boy]

That dude looks kick azz.

Yeah that was the idea. The guy they killed was a short skinny guy