Post by Shuftin on Feb 20, 2007 3:37:37 GMT -5
OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE – A former police officer will stand trial beginning Tuesday in an alleged police brutality case that is now nearly three years old.
Lary Blevins was accused in September 2004 of beating a suspect with the butt of a shotgun while the suspect was in handcuffs and on the ground.
Blevins, 44, of Oak Ridge, had been an Oak Ridge police officer for three years when the incident happened in the parking lot of the Sagebrush Steakhouse on South Illinois Avenue. The victim, James R. Ellis, 24, also of Oak Ridge, sustained cuts and bruises from the incident but no permanent disfigurement or impairment.
Ellis has, however, filed a lawsuit against Blevins, other officers and the city of Oak Ridge, seeking compensation for “permanent injuries, emotional distress, and other issues pertaining to his future health and well-being, citing 14 counts against his constitutional rights.
Blevins, and officers Mitch Powers, Daniel Freytag, Sandra Bell and Mark Coffey were involved in the traffic stop the night of the alleged offense. Freytag made the initial stop and the others came to the scene as backup. Ellis allegedly resisted officers’ verbal commands and refused to get down on the ground. Ellis, however, said he did get on the ground when asked.
One of the officers put handcuffs on Ellis when he was on the ground. At that point, Ellis said two officers kicked him and dragged him face down on the pavement. One officer also allegedly put his boot on Ellis’ head, grinding his face into the pavement. Then, Blevins allegedly hit him in the back of the head with the butt of the shotgun.
Ellis was taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge for treatment and then to the Anderson County jail on charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest. Both charges were later dismissed.
Blevins was moved to another position at the Police Department but was later terminated. He was indicted by an Anderson County grand jury in November 2004, charged with official oppression. Blevins was arrested but released after posting a $10,000 bond.
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Lary Blevins was accused in September 2004 of beating a suspect with the butt of a shotgun while the suspect was in handcuffs and on the ground.
Blevins, 44, of Oak Ridge, had been an Oak Ridge police officer for three years when the incident happened in the parking lot of the Sagebrush Steakhouse on South Illinois Avenue. The victim, James R. Ellis, 24, also of Oak Ridge, sustained cuts and bruises from the incident but no permanent disfigurement or impairment.
Ellis has, however, filed a lawsuit against Blevins, other officers and the city of Oak Ridge, seeking compensation for “permanent injuries, emotional distress, and other issues pertaining to his future health and well-being, citing 14 counts against his constitutional rights.
Blevins, and officers Mitch Powers, Daniel Freytag, Sandra Bell and Mark Coffey were involved in the traffic stop the night of the alleged offense. Freytag made the initial stop and the others came to the scene as backup. Ellis allegedly resisted officers’ verbal commands and refused to get down on the ground. Ellis, however, said he did get on the ground when asked.
One of the officers put handcuffs on Ellis when he was on the ground. At that point, Ellis said two officers kicked him and dragged him face down on the pavement. One officer also allegedly put his boot on Ellis’ head, grinding his face into the pavement. Then, Blevins allegedly hit him in the back of the head with the butt of the shotgun.
Ellis was taken to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge for treatment and then to the Anderson County jail on charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest. Both charges were later dismissed.
Blevins was moved to another position at the Police Department but was later terminated. He was indicted by an Anderson County grand jury in November 2004, charged with official oppression. Blevins was arrested but released after posting a $10,000 bond.
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