Officer cleared of wrongdoing

www.wndu.com ^ | 8.14.03 | Reporter Mark

[freepatriot32]

Officer cleared of wrongdoing

Video from surveillance cameras showed the jury the incident exactly as it happened

Posted: 08/13/2003 06:16 pm

Story filed by NewsCenter16 Reporter Mark Peterson

Today former inmate George Staggs, who suffered injuries while in custody at the St. Joseph County Jail, asked for $330,000 in damages. Staggs alleged that a member of the Mishawaka Police force used excessive force against him when he was an inmate at the jail.

Much of the treatment of Staggs while he was an inmate was captured on videotape by the jail surveillance cameras in October of 2000. 

The video shows Staggs in handcuffs following orders to sit in a restraint chair. Staggs is then ordered out of the chair so that the officer can retrieve his handcuffs. According to the officer, it was then that Staggs became combative. The officer forced Staggs into a nearby wall and then forced him to the ground.

Staggs says that his leg was broken during the incident and it is permanently damaged.

After viewing the tapes and hearing two days of testimony, a jury in South Bend's Federal Court rejected Stagg's claims and decided that the officer accused of police brutality did nothing wrong. He was cleared of all wrongdoing.

The accused officer, Eric Laudeman of the Mishawaka Police Department, said, "I always contended I used the minimal amount of force necessary. I think the jury's decision reflects that."

Stagg's attorney, Jeff Kimmell says, "The city of Mishawaka got lucky today because this officer should not be on the force. If this kind of conduct is condoned and acceptable, then we all need to be concerned."

Staggs admitted he was loud and verbally abusive while being booked for public intoxication. But he contends that as a handcuffed 130-pound man surrounded by five officers, he wasn't a threat to no one.

Attorneys for Officer Laudeman countered that their client didn't mean to injure anyone. They said he had used the same takedown move numerous times in his career without causing injury.

"I think different people could see it different ways but I think along with Eric's testimony watching the video made it clear that what he did there was what he needed to do," said defense attorney Lynn Kalamaro.The jury reached their verdict in less than two hours.

[Arpege92]

You could of avoided all of this if you had said that right from the beginning. My hubby is a cop and he is not a criminal as well....but he sure understands the frustration from citizens who run into criminal cops! He has no sympathy for cops who choose to go down the criminal path just as he has no sympathy for citizens who choose to go down the criminal path.

BTW....sorry about the Castro comment! :-}

[lawdude]

"...I think traffic enforcement fines are complete BS revenue generators..."

In other words there should be no penalty for driving 45 in a 15 MPH school zone, or reckless driving, or any other driving offense? They only cite people in order to raise money? Safety be screwed?

What do you propose?

[eno_]

What do you propose?

I propose taking fine revenue away from PDs and localities, and watch the pigs squeal.

[babygene]

"Might we inquire into your profession?"

Sure you can: I'm the president and ceo of a small software company. In my earlier life (before retirement), I spent 30 plus years as a hardware and software engineer for a LARGE computer company. I won't name the company, but you can probably guess within one or two, because most computer companies havn't been around for 30 plus years.

[lawdude]

"I propose taking fine revenue away from PDs and localities, and watch the pigs squeal. "

I suspect an agenda driven hate here. First, I don't know about your locale but here in AZ, fines go to the city coffers and NOT directly to the PD (pig dept. in your hate filled mind).

Why don't you go to Iraq. They don't have a PD as yet. Be sure to parade your ass around with this same attitude. I will send flowers to your NoK!

[eno_]

That's why fine revenue must be taken away from LOCALITIES as well as PDs.

For example, in Colorado, there was a proposal to take all fine revenue and put it in a statewide school aid budget.

And the pigs did squeal like the little piggy money-grubbers they are, showing that it is, in fact, all about the money.

[lawdude]

And just why were you turned down at the Police Academy?

Your disdain for authority is truely sad. I deal with cops daily and find MOST to be dedicated, hard-working and honest. The rads tend to disappear from the force rather quickly. You see, honest cops don't like them either.
Actually, they have about the same rate of shit-heads as the Priesthood, doctors and television newscasters.

What is your 'profession'?

[eno_]

Strictly mathematically speaking, most priests are not flaming chickenhawks, either. But the rate of flaming chickenhawking in the priesthood is 5X-10X that of the general population.

Police work similarly attracts a population of bad personalities. You made the comparison. Limp wristed purple cassocked priest, or steroid case no-neck cop, which is better? Both professions need serious house-cleaning.