In Alabama, the police officer responsible for severely injuring and putting an innocent man in the hospital, paralyzing him, has been fired from the Madison City Police Department and faces assault charges.
Alabama police fire, arrest the officer who badly injured Indian grandfather during sidewalk stop
Madison police officer Eric Parker was arrested for his use of force on 57-year-old Sureshbhai Patel, who was visiting from India and staying with his son's family. Mr. Patel, who does not speak English, was on an afternoon walk when he was stopped by police responding to a call about a "suspicious person."
Parker and other officers tried talking to Mr. Patel, but he communicate with them. When the officers tried patting him down, Patel put his hands in his pockets and pulled away. A video released by police shows an officer throwing Mr. Patel to the ground:
Parker and his trainee Andrew Slaughter approached Mr. Patel on Friday morning. The audio recording of their interaction reveals there was a serious communication barrier:
"What's going on sir?"
"You what?"
"India."
"Where you heading?"
"Where?"
"I can't understand you, sir."
"Where's your address?"
"Do you have any ID?"
"India?"
"Do you live here."
"Sir, sir, come here."
"Do not jerk away from me again, or I will put you on the ground. Do you understand?"
The video shows Parker yanking Patel's arm and slamming him into the ground. Patel, whose hands were behind this back, could not put out his hands to break the fall. He suffered serious injuries requiring surgery, and was left with partial paralysis in his limbs.
Parker turned himself in on Thursday, and was charged with third degree assault. The FBI is also conducting an investigation into the incident to determine if there were any federal violations.
Mr. Patel, by the way, committed absolutely zero crimes. His family has filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing police used excessive force and that they had no cause to stop Patel on a public sidewalk and search him.
I hope someone also got in touch with the unidentified person who called the cops on Mr. Patel ("He's a skinny black guy, he's got a toboggan on"). You need to be informed that you're a dumbass.
More here: Indian Man Slammed Down After Caller Reported 'Black Guy'
