Posted on 08/19/2010 7:38:15 AM PDT by Palter
DENVER - Coloradans are outraged and demanding action from city leaders after seeing our investigative report about a dog owner beaten by two Denver Police officers.
It's a story FOX 31 News broke Tuesday night.
Now the Denver police independent monitor says he's responding to the public outcry and reviewing the video to see if a larger investigation is warranted.
Mark Ashford was walking his dogs near 20th and Little Raven, when he witnessed police pull over a driver for failing to stop at a stop sign. He told the driver he saw him stop and would be willing to testify in court.
His attorney, Will Hart, said the police officers overheard Ashford's comment and "weren't happy about it."
Hart said the officers demanded Ashford's I.D. and wouldn't let him leave. "They had no reason to stop him or detain him, that's a violation of his fourth amendment rights," said Hart.
Ashford then tried to take a picture of the officers to document the incident, but both the officers pulled his hand behind his back and attempted to arrest him. Ashford appeared to struggle before he was slammed into a railing, punched repeatedly in the face and wrestled to the ground.
Ashford was charged with interference and resisting arrest, but the charges were later dropped, "because the city attorney agreed his fourth amendment rights were violated," said Hart.
Excessive force complaints were filed against the officers.
A Denver police department spokesperson said the internal affairs investigation is closed, but the independent police monitor says he is reviewing the surveillance video to determine if the police officers used excessive force.
Richard Rosenthal said it is likely he will recommend a more thorough investigation.
Ironically, it's the police department's own surveillance camera that may provide the proof.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was notified about the alleged beating caught on tape. A spokesperson tells FOX 31 the mayor is aware of the latest video.
New case & new video: Man walking dogs alleges police used excessive force
As far as I know, the dog was not shot or injured.
Wow.. his retirement fund just got a big boost.
And why exactly have they not been charged with Felony Kidnapping, Using a Firearm during the commission of a violent FELONY, Assault with a Deadly Weapon,.... They both belong in JAIL FOR LIFE.
JBT! You will respect muh uhthoruhty!
Be-ahtch!
The cops should be forced to sign their cushy pensions over to him. I’m tired of these bullies not suffering any consequences for their outrageous behavior.
well these two scumbags can come to Florida and get a cop job in minutes! Florida welcomes these types all the time....
“Pat, the androgynous cop”?
Anger mgmt classes, anyone?
I realize that the video doesn’t record every single bit of evidence... but come on, what did he say that got the cops so angry? Did he ask if they missed their donut break?
Dear Lord... what could he have said to be worthy of this beat-down?
IF what the video appears to show is correct, there are two officers that need to join the unemployment lines (without UI compensation).
Unfortunately, this will ultimately come out of the pockets of taxpayers.
The sad thing here is without video the dog walking guy would most likely wind up serving time based solely on the word of the officers.
Without rock solid evidence to the contrary cops are free to lie with impunity....and their buddies will lie with them. I have seen it.
Being ENTIRELY skeptical of anything the police say/claim is a desirable common sense survival skill given the attitude of our ‘masters’ in law enforcement.
I miss Barney Fife....
Life sentences for both of them.
THerre’s no excuse for any of their actions.
buno fir kater read - absoutely disgusting
bump for later reading
The chief needs to go. Start at the top and clean house.
What happened to The-Cops-Can-Do-No-Wrong crowd? 16 posts and no one has said that the guy deserved what he got.
I'm really at a loss as to how things get this out of control.
“What happened to The-Cops-Can-Do-No-Wrong crowd?”
Prolly just busy shining up jackboots....
They will be along soon.
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