Police Accountability Report: Episode 131 – LRN.fm
This week, a couple stories that should cause anyone critically thinking to see that those wearing badges aren’t always operating with the best intentions.
Story #1
MOTHER: Son brutally attacked by police officer
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/mother-son-brutally-attacked-by-police-officer/25201520
A mother is speaking out in what she says is a vicious case of police brutality.
It’s a case involving South Bend police officer Aaron Knepper, the victim Tom Stevens, and his mother Suzanne.
Stevens’ mom Suzanne says her son was brutally attacked by Officer Knepper, and she feared her son was going to die right there in her driveway.
“I tried to get that policeman to stop beating my son,” said Suzanne.
According to those claiming to be the authorities, late on a Tuesday evening towards the end of March, South Bend Police Officer Aaron Knepper tried to pull over 55-year-old Tom Stevens for a traffic stop.
Stevens did not pull over, continued to drive to his home and then got out of the vehicle.
That’s when Stevens’ mom Suzanne who lives with her son says he was brutally attacked by the officer.
“He got about halfway up the drive way and these guys tazed him and they ripped his shirt off.”
Suzanne says she watched the beating, fearful for her son’s life.
“He kept hitting my son, punching [him] in the jaw and chest, my son’s dentures fell out on the driveway.”
The 76-year-old mother of Stevens says she grabbed Knepper’s arm to stop him from hitting her son, and that’s when the officer grabbed her.
“Look what that policeman did to my arm,” Suzanne said, showing her bruises. “Can you imagine grabbing an old lady like this?”
Both Suzanne and Tom Stevens were arrested by police for resisting arrest and battery to an officer.
“This one police officer, I was told his name is Aaron Knepper, knocked my son down and kept beating him and beating him,” Suzanne added.
Suzanne was booked in the St. Joseph County Jail, but Tom’s injuries were so severe, he had to be hospitalized.
Stevens stated, “I guess he’s alive, thank God, because I need him. I’m not well. I have blood clots in my lungs.”
Suzanne said she will never again be able to trust a police officer.
“You’re supposed to help and protect people, not destroy their lives.”
Story #2
Wichita Cops Take Aim at Black Men
http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/03/31/66592.htm
In other news, Wichita police think they’re still in the Wild West, shooting people, particularly black people, nine times more often than Detroit officers do, and twelve times more often than in Chicago, the family of a police shooting victim claims in court.
Wichita police Officer Randy Williamson shot to death 24-year-old Troy Lanning II on April 1, 2012, his mother and daughter claim in Wichita Federal Court.
Lanning’s mother, Dawn Herington, claims Williamson shot her son to death merely because he was in a white car, and the officer had heard a report of a drive-by shooting coming from a white car.
The white car fled from a police stop and Lanning fled from the car with a black bag in his hand.
Herington claims her son was complying with Williamson’s order to stop and turn around, raising his hands into the air, when William shot at him five or six times, then shot him three more times in the back as he lay on the ground.
The black bag contained only a few personal items; her son was unarmed, Herington says.
Herington claims Williamson “has been the active shooter in at least three shootings,” and “has been involved in other excessive force cases.”
…Williamson’s daughter was born 7 months after her father was shot to death.
That’s this week’s Police Accountability Report brought to you by CopBlock.org.
I hope you’ll take a moment to consider just who it is that you are entrusting with the protection of those you love.
Until next week, stay safe and remember that badges don’t grant extra rights.
