what independence?

this makes my blood boil.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/06/29/37770.htm


DAYTON, Ohio (CN) - Dayton police "mistook" a
mentally handicapped teenager's speech impediment for
"disrespect," so they Tasered, pepper-sprayed and beat
him and called for backup from "upward of 20 police
officers" after the boy rode his bicycle home to ask
his mother for help, the boy's mom says.
Pamela Ford says her "mentally
challenged/handicapped" son Jesse Kersey, 17, was
riding his bike near his Dayton home when Officer
Willie Hooper stopped him and tried to talk to him.
The mom says that "Prior to the incident described
below, defendant Hooper knew Jesse and was aware that
Jesse was mentally challenged/handicapped and a minor
child."
Nonetheless, Ford says, Hooper "apparently took
Jesse's speech impediment for disrespect ... [and]
began yelling at Jesse and after Jesse attempted to
communicate with him[.] Jesse, being a minor and
mentally challenged/handicapped, turned and rode his
bike back to his home in an attempt to ask his mother,
Ford, to help him communicate with defendant Cooper,"
according to the complaint in Montgomery County Court.
On the way, the mom says, "A neighbor attempted to
communicate with Officer Hooper about Jesse's
disabilities and was told to go back into his home, or
he would be arrested."
As Ford opened her front door, she says, Hooper
and co-defendant Officer John Howard, "fired their
Tasers, striking Jesse in the back with both probes."
"Once inside the house, defendant Hooper and
defendant Howard began to struggle with Jesse, who was
standing against the back door with his hands up in
front of his face, saying 'Please quit, please quit.'
"On numerous occasions, Ford and a family friend,
Christopher Peyton, informed Officer Hooper that Jesse
was mentally challenged/handicapped, and that Jesse did
not understand what was happening," the complaint
states.
But the mom says the cops continued their assault:
"Officer Howard utilized his Cap-Stun pepper spray and
sprayed Jesse ... [and] struck Jesse with a closed fist
in the upper chest area.
"Officer Howard utilized his ASP and repeatedly
struck Jesse in the upper left side of his left thigh.
"Back-up units were requested to Jesse's house,
wherein upward of 20 police officers from different
jurisdictions were present.
"At no point, even after being advised of Jesse's
mental challenge/handicap by Jesse's family and
numerous bystanders, did defendant Hooper, defendant
Howard, or any other police officer present, attempt to
communicate with Jesse or explain in terms he could
understand as to why Jesse was being chased.
"Jesse was handcuffed and hogtied before being
placed in the back of a police cruiser.
"Jesse was charged with assault on a peace
officer, resisting arrest, and obstructing official
business."
However, "Jesse was declared incompetent by the
Montgomery County Juvenile Court and the charges
against Jesse were dismissed."
Jesse and his mom seek damages from the city and
the two lead officers, for false imprisonment, false
arrest, malicious prosecution, assault, battery,
excessive use of force, infliction of emotional
distress and civil conspiracy.
They are represented by Richard Boucher. Tweet