the guy who filmed the police beating gets arrested.... - GoFuckYourself.com

nocostporn · 07-12-2002, 11:09 AM

By Dan Whitcomb
Reuters

LOS ANGELES (July 11) - The man who videotaped a police beating near Los Angeles that enraged black leaders and then dodged a grand jury inquiry into the matter was arrested on Thursday as he prepared to grant a television interview.

Mitchell Crooks was taken into custody on warrants issued in northern California for petty theft and drunken driving. Authorities also served him with a subpoena to testify before the Los Angeles County grand jury.

Crooks' arrest was videotaped and broadcast on local KCAL-TV, showing undercover officers hustling him into a sports utility vehicle with tinted windows outside the studios of CNN as the 27-year-old man repeatedly screamed for help.

Crooks had failed to appear on Thursday morning at Los Angeles Superior Court, where the grand jury was meeting, after telling a local radio program that he feared for his life.

''All we're doing is arresting him on the basis of a warrant,'' Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said. ''If there had not been a warrant, we would have escorted him to the grand jury.''

''He is a witness and we need him to authenticate the tape recording, otherwise its value in court would be greatly diminished,'' Gibbons said. Crooks shot his videotape from a motel room across the street from the scene of the incident in Inglewood, which abuts south-central Los Angeles.

Crooks called a KFI-AM talk radio show hosted by John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou on Wednesday to discuss the case and said he was afraid that officers would be ''coming after'' him for videotaping the beating of 16-year-old Donovan Jackson.

'I FEAR FOR MY LIFE'

''I fear for my life,'' Crooks said. ''They're going to kick my ass in a cell and take turns on me, probably.''

Deputy District Attorney Kurt Livesay, who was also a guest on the show, then told Crooks over the air that authorities did not want to hurt him, and asked that he give his address to investigators. Instead, Crooks hung up the phone.

The videotape, first broadcast on Sunday, shows Inglewood Police Officer Jeremy Morse picking up Jackson and slamming him face-first onto a patrol car. Several seconds later, Morse is seen slugging Jackson in the face with a closed fist.

The tape sparked cries of racism and comparisons to the incendiary 1991 beating of Rodney King, which was also videotaped. The acquittal of four Los Angeles officers in that case led to the worst urban riots in modern U.S. history.

Several local law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were investigating the altercation between Jackson and Morse, a three-year veteran of the Inglewood Police Department. U.S. Attorney John Ashooooo sent his top civil rights deputy to Los Angeles on the case.

Jackson and his 41-year-old father, Coby Chavis, who was present during the incident, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Wednesday against the officers involved in their arrest, the city of Inglewood and the County of Los Angeles.

Black leaders, including congresswoman Maxine Waters, a Democrat who represents the area, and Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn have called for Morse to be immediately fired and brought up on state or federal charges.

ATTORNEY: OFFICER DESERVES DUE PROCESS

But Morse's lawyer told Reuters in an interview that the 24-year-old officer had been condemned by public officials before all of the facts were known or the probes even begun.

''I think it's quite unfortunate that people who have sworn to defend and uphold the Constitution would ignore the presumption of innocence and find individuals guilty before there's even been a trial,'' attorney John Barnett said. ''I thought we stopped doing that a couple hundred years ago.''

Barnett, who also represented one of the officers acquitted in King's beating, said public officials were offering inappropriate assurances that his client was guilty.

''This very same thing happened (in the King case),'' he said. ''That's why it was such a big surprise when they were acquitted with tragic, tragic consequences.''

Barnett said that Morse lifted Jackson from the ground and heaved him onto the car because the teen had let his legs go limp in an effort to resist.

''After his hands were cuffed, Jackson was able to reach out and grab my client's testicles,'' he said. ''And on that occasion the punch was seen in order to make that activity cease.''

In Oklahoma, meanwhile, civil rights activists called for immediate disciplinary action against two white police officers who were videotaped beating a prone black suspect with batons.

The officers, Greg Driskill and E.J. Dyer, were to remain on regular duty pending the results of a probe. Oklahoma City police have asked the FBI to investigate.

Reuters 18:47 07-11-02

Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Sly_RJ · 07-12-2002, 11:16 AM

If he feared for his life, why did he release the tape in the first place?

Pipecrew · 07-12-2002, 11:17 AM

he shouldnt of taped them, he's honestly gonna get beat the fuck down

Fletch XXX · 07-12-2002, 11:25 AM

they won't touch him, too much pressure on them.

Sly_RJ · 07-12-2002, 11:33 AM

By the way, how much do you guys think he got for that tape? Or did he just turn it over?

TheFLY · 07-12-2002, 01:25 PM

I love riots!!!

In LA they are begging for new cops -- they even take out ads on the radio and on billboards... I'm sure this will make it even harder for them to hire...

I think we need a new system -- make the police force into something like Jury Duty... If you want to vote -- you get to be a cop for 1 day out of the year. Everyone would have more respect for the job, the crooks would have more respect for the police, even the crooks could be cops for a day... Fucking re-paint the cars and change the uniforms. The police cars should be hot pink -- and their uniforms should be pink also -- do away with the fear and intimidation and you'll have less violence.

Sly_RJ · 07-12-2002, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFLY
I love riots!!!

In LA they are begging for new cops -- they even take out ads on the radio and on billboards... I'm sure this will make it even harder for them to hire...

I think we need a new system -- make the police force into something like Jury Duty... If you want to vote -- you get to be a cop for 1 day out of the year. Everyone would have more respect for the job, the crooks would have more respect for the police, even the crooks could be cops for a day... Fucking re-paint the cars and change the uniforms. The police cars should be hot pink -- and their uniforms should be pink also -- do away with the fear and intimidation and you'll have less violence.

And this would do what? So many people don't like voting as it is, trying to kill elections!

Fletch XXX · 07-12-2002, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFLY
I love riots!!!

In LA they are begging for new cops -- they even take out ads on the radio and on billboards... I'm sure this will make it even harder for them to hire...

I think we need a new system -- make the police force into something like Jury Duty... If you want to vote -- you get to be a cop for 1 day out of the year. Everyone would have more respect for the job, the crooks would have more respect for the police, even the crooks could be cops for a day... Fucking re-paint the cars and change the uniforms. The police cars should be hot pink -- and their uniforms should be pink also -- do away with the fear and intimidation and you'll have less violence.

I live in LA now, but coming from New Orleans, they have a way more fucked up cop situation. Cops make like 16 grand a year in New orleans hahaha

TheFLY · 07-12-2002, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sly_RJ

And this would do what? So many people don't like voting as it is, trying to kill elections!

It would work... Even an old rich snob can drive around a Crown Victoria -- oh that's what they do anyway LOL... Maybe this would get more young people on the street into the voting booth.

Besides women love a man in uniform... Stupid hoes.

Sly_RJ · 07-12-2002, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFLY

It would work... Even an old rich snob can drive around a Crown Victoria -- oh that's what they do anyway LOL... Maybe this would get more young people on the street into the voting booth.

Besides women love a man in uniform... Stupid hoes.

I like chicks in uniform. Mmm...

UnseenWorld · 07-12-2002, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fletch XXX

I live in LA now, but coming from New Orleans, they have a way more fucked up cop situation. Cops make like 16 grand a year in New orleans hahaha

Yeay, the HONEST ones make $16K.

UnseenWorld · 07-12-2002, 01:38 PM

LA has to have the most PR insensitive police force in the country. They should have handled this a lot more quietly. Now, it looks like LA is the police state a lot of people say it is.

SetTheWorldonFire · 07-12-2002, 01:59 PM

This reminds me of a homie that took his friend to the county jail to turn himself in. Well, turned out he had a warrant too. They released his friend and took his ass in.

07-12-2002, 11:09 AM	#1
nocostporn Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 5,228	the guy who filmed the police beating gets arrested.... By Dan Whitcomb Reuters LOS ANGELES (July 11) - The man who videotaped a police beating near Los Angeles that enraged black leaders and then dodged a grand jury inquiry into the matter was arrested on Thursday as he prepared to grant a television interview. Mitchell Crooks was taken into custody on warrants issued in northern California for petty theft and drunken driving. Authorities also served him with a subpoena to testify before the Los Angeles County grand jury. Crooks' arrest was videotaped and broadcast on local KCAL-TV, showing undercover officers hustling him into a sports utility vehicle with tinted windows outside the studios of CNN as the 27-year-old man repeatedly screamed for help. Crooks had failed to appear on Thursday morning at Los Angeles Superior Court, where the grand jury was meeting, after telling a local radio program that he feared for his life. ''All we're doing is arresting him on the basis of a warrant,'' Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said. ''If there had not been a warrant, we would have escorted him to the grand jury.'' ''He is a witness and we need him to authenticate the tape recording, otherwise its value in court would be greatly diminished,'' Gibbons said. Crooks shot his videotape from a motel room across the street from the scene of the incident in Inglewood, which abuts south-central Los Angeles. Crooks called a KFI-AM talk radio show hosted by John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou on Wednesday to discuss the case and said he was afraid that officers would be ''coming after'' him for videotaping the beating of 16-year-old Donovan Jackson. 'I FEAR FOR MY LIFE' ''I fear for my life,'' Crooks said. ''They're going to kick my ass in a cell and take turns on me, probably.'' Deputy District Attorney Kurt Livesay, who was also a guest on the show, then told Crooks over the air that authorities did not want to hurt him, and asked that he give his address to investigators. Instead, Crooks hung up the phone. The videotape, first broadcast on Sunday, shows Inglewood Police Officer Jeremy Morse picking up Jackson and slamming him face-first onto a patrol car. Several seconds later, Morse is seen slugging Jackson in the face with a closed fist. The tape sparked cries of racism and comparisons to the incendiary 1991 beating of Rodney King, which was also videotaped. The acquittal of four Los Angeles officers in that case led to the worst urban riots in modern U.S. history. Several local law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were investigating the altercation between Jackson and Morse, a three-year veteran of the Inglewood Police Department. U.S. Attorney John Ashooooo sent his top civil rights deputy to Los Angeles on the case. Jackson and his 41-year-old father, Coby Chavis, who was present during the incident, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on Wednesday against the officers involved in their arrest, the city of Inglewood and the County of Los Angeles. Black leaders, including congresswoman Maxine Waters, a Democrat who represents the area, and Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn have called for Morse to be immediately fired and brought up on state or federal charges. ATTORNEY: OFFICER DESERVES DUE PROCESS But Morse's lawyer told Reuters in an interview that the 24-year-old officer had been condemned by public officials before all of the facts were known or the probes even begun. ''I think it's quite unfortunate that people who have sworn to defend and uphold the Constitution would ignore the presumption of innocence and find individuals guilty before there's even been a trial,'' attorney John Barnett said. ''I thought we stopped doing that a couple hundred years ago.'' Barnett, who also represented one of the officers acquitted in King's beating, said public officials were offering inappropriate assurances that his client was guilty. ''This very same thing happened (in the King case),'' he said. ''That's why it was such a big surprise when they were acquitted with tragic, tragic consequences.'' Barnett said that Morse lifted Jackson from the ground and heaved him onto the car because the teen had let his legs go limp in an effort to resist. ''After his hands were cuffed, Jackson was able to reach out and grab my client's testicles,'' he said. ''And on that occasion the punch was seen in order to make that activity cease.'' In Oklahoma, meanwhile, civil rights activists called for immediate disciplinary action against two white police officers who were videotaped beating a prone black suspect with batons. The officers, Greg Driskill and E.J. Dyer, were to remain on regular duty pending the results of a probe. Oklahoma City police have asked the FBI to investigate. Reuters 18:47 07-11-02 Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. __________________ CashTheChecks.com -coming soon- "Exclusive sites for Exclusive Webmasters" ICQ-119966868,add me first don't message

07-12-2002, 11:16 AM	#2
Sly_RJ Live Hard - Die Hard Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ready to leave... Posts: 17,042	If he feared for his life, why did he release the tape in the first place? __________________ PHAT SERVERS - Quality dedicated hosting at a quality price! sly AT phatservers DOT com - 147479144

07-12-2002, 11:25 AM	#4
Fletch XXX GFY HALL OF FAME DAMMIT!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: that 504 Posts: 60,840	they won't touch him, too much pressure on them. __________________ Want an Android App for your tube, membership, or free site? Need banners or promo material? Hit us up (ICQ Fletch: 148841377) or email me fletchxxx at gmail.com - recent work - About me

07-12-2002, 11:33 AM	#5
Sly_RJ Live Hard - Die Hard Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ready to leave... Posts: 17,042	By the way, how much do you guys think he got for that tape? Or did he just turn it over? __________________ PHAT SERVERS - Quality dedicated hosting at a quality price! sly AT phatservers DOT com - 147479144

07-12-2002, 01:38 PM	#12
UnseenWorld Confirmed User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Portland, OR, USA Posts: 5,279	LA has to have the most PR insensitive police force in the country. They should have handled this a lot more quietly. Now, it looks like LA is the police state a lot of people say it is. __________________ SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, then you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60.

07-12-2002, 11:17 AM	#3
Pipecrew Master of Gfy.com Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 14,887	he shouldnt of taped them, he's honestly gonna get beat the fuck down

07-12-2002, 01:25 PM	#6
TheFLY So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: http://www.thefly.net/ --- Quit your job and live off steady traffic. Posts: 11,856	I love riots!!! In LA they are begging for new cops -- they even take out ads on the radio and on billboards... I'm sure this will make it even harder for them to hire... I think we need a new system -- make the police force into something like Jury Duty... If you want to vote -- you get to be a cop for 1 day out of the year. Everyone would have more respect for the job, the crooks would have more respect for the police, even the crooks could be cops for a day... Fucking re-paint the cars and change the uniforms. The police cars should be hot pink -- and their uniforms should be pink also -- do away with the fear and intimidation and you'll have less violence.

07-12-2002, 01:59 PM	#13
SetTheWorldonFire Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: California Posts: 7,444	This reminds me of a homie that took his friend to the county jail to turn himself in. Well, turned out he had a warrant too. They released his friend and took his ass in. __________________ www.STWOFDesign.com hit me up on icq 154206276 or Skype: JaimeGizzle