Posted on 08/29/2014 7:10:25 AM PDT by TurboZamboni
St. Paul police responded Thursday to criticism over officers' interaction with a man, including police use of a Taser, saying a video doesn't tell the whole story.
Chris Lollie, 28, said he was sitting on a chair in a downtown skyway Jan. 31 when a security guard told him it was a private area and he couldn't be there. No signs were posted saying it was private, Lollie said. The guard called police.
Lollie, of St. Paul, told an officer he was heading to pick up his children and didn't have to identify himself because he had done nothing wrong.
On the cellphone video that Lollie took, he can be heard saying, "The problem is I'm black, that's the problem. No, it really is, because I didn't do anything wrong.
WARNING: This video includes expletives.
Lollie said an officer later put his hands around his throat and ripped his jacket open. Another officer used a Taser on him, Lollie said.
Police wrote in a report that Lollie was "actively resisting by attempting to pull his arm away" and "began to forcefully try to shove past us as he was pulling away from us." An officer pushed Lollie against a wall to try to control him and Lollie accused the officer of trying to choke him, the report said.
"Several times I attempted to force his hands behind his back but was unable to overcome his active resistance," the report said. When Lollie's "resistance was becoming uncontrollable," an officer used a Taser on him, the report said.
Lollie was charged with three misdemeanors -- trespassing, disorderly conduct and obstructing legal process. All counts were dismissed July 31. Lollie said his attorney went to court with surveillance video from the skyway and witness statements.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
It doesn't look good for the bank that employs the security guard. From other information in the article it seems the bank is improperly claiming the skyway as its own. They wouldn't even allow photography there.
Given the circumstances I believe the police had grounds to make a temporary detention.
Good find.
agree with your first point, not so sure on the second. the police should know the scoop inre: private versus public areas and marked vs,. unmarked spaces.
the bank sure seems to be in deep doo-doo. IF we’re being given all the info
Well, that’s why some places have laws against loitering. Like I said, I don’t the particulars of the situation. If it was a public area, then the guy shouldn’t have been forced to move. If it was a private area, as some have claimed, then different laws apply.
Some crow for you to eat.
St. Paul man arrested in skyway was in public area, city prosecutor says
I hope it goes well with the taste of kiwi and leather.
He was doing nothing wrong and was hassled for it.
I'm not sure I wouldn't be as angry about it as he was.
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