Post by WaTcHeR on Apr 21, 2006 9:16:34 GMT -5
4/21/06 - LA PORTE, TEXAS - A La Porte police officer is facing charges, accused of assaulting a suspect. And we have the videotape of the altercation that led to those charges. Officer Carl Davis is expected to turn himself in at any time. That video is crucial in bringing charges against him.
In the video, Officer Davis is heard telling the person in custody, "Everything you say and do is being electronically recorded."
It was a warning directed at the DWI suspect, but instead, the video would be used against the very officer rolling the tape.
On the tape, Officer Davis tells the suspect, "I will allow you an opportunity to perform these exercises. Do not move, Mr. Perez. Get up, get up, (go to) square number one. I didn't tell you to move."
Based on the tape acquired exclusively by Eyewitness News, the district attorney charged Officer Davis with two counts of assault -- one count for him allegedly grabbing suspect Alex Perez by his throat and the other for something else we saw on the tape.
Officer Davis is heard saying to the suspect, who is now sitting in a chair, "Get on up, Mr. Perez."
Perez says, "I will press charges."
Officer Davis again says, "Get up, on up, Mr. Perez."
Perez says, "I will."
Officer Davis says, "Get on up, Mr. Perez."
"I will." continued the suspect
That's when the video shows Officer Davis using his Taser gun on the man.
"There was no threat," said Assistant Harris County DA Warren Diapraam. "The guy was just a drunk being stupid and there was no need to pull a Taser and shoot that man."
It was more than a year ago we first told you of similar allegations against Officer Davis. Delena Wolfe accused him of beating her while in custody. While a grand jury never brought charges, La Porte police did settle with Wolfe for more than $100,000.
Perez's sister believes enough is enough.
"They say my brother is a repeat offender," said Lynn Gritsewsky. "What does that make this officer?"
We made several attempts to reach Officer Davis Thursday, but our calls were not returned. Davis could face up to a year in jail if convicted.
In the video, Officer Davis is heard telling the person in custody, "Everything you say and do is being electronically recorded."
It was a warning directed at the DWI suspect, but instead, the video would be used against the very officer rolling the tape.
On the tape, Officer Davis tells the suspect, "I will allow you an opportunity to perform these exercises. Do not move, Mr. Perez. Get up, get up, (go to) square number one. I didn't tell you to move."
Based on the tape acquired exclusively by Eyewitness News, the district attorney charged Officer Davis with two counts of assault -- one count for him allegedly grabbing suspect Alex Perez by his throat and the other for something else we saw on the tape.
Officer Davis is heard saying to the suspect, who is now sitting in a chair, "Get on up, Mr. Perez."
Perez says, "I will press charges."
Officer Davis again says, "Get up, on up, Mr. Perez."
Perez says, "I will."
Officer Davis says, "Get on up, Mr. Perez."
"I will." continued the suspect
That's when the video shows Officer Davis using his Taser gun on the man.
"There was no threat," said Assistant Harris County DA Warren Diapraam. "The guy was just a drunk being stupid and there was no need to pull a Taser and shoot that man."
It was more than a year ago we first told you of similar allegations against Officer Davis. Delena Wolfe accused him of beating her while in custody. While a grand jury never brought charges, La Porte police did settle with Wolfe for more than $100,000.
Perez's sister believes enough is enough.
"They say my brother is a repeat offender," said Lynn Gritsewsky. "What does that make this officer?"
We made several attempts to reach Officer Davis Thursday, but our calls were not returned. Davis could face up to a year in jail if convicted.