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Title: (Dallas) Police Deny Excessive Force In Bloody Arrest (black cop, white girl)
Source:
NBC5i.com
URL Source: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/6158812/detail.html
Published: Jan 16, 2006
Author: NBC5
Post Date: 2006-01-16 20:18:09 by BTP Holdings
Keywords: Excessive, (Dallas), Police
Views: 14006
Comments: 855
POSTED: 5:16 pm CST January 16, 2006
DALLAS -- E-mails and pictures circulating the Internet tell the tale of a Dallas woman's bloody run-in with police after a roller-skating outing escalated into an arrest with excessive force, but officers and some witnesses Monday told a different story.
The incident happened early Saturday morning in Deep Ellum after police attempted to speak with Michelle Metzinger, 25, who, according to a police report, was intoxicated and weaving through traffic on roller skates.
Images: The Arrest & Other Slideshows
The pictures that stemmed from the events that followed are dramatic. They show an officer arresting Metzinger. Her face is covered in blood and there is a puddle of blood on the sidewalk.
"Very excessive. Uncalled for, you know. We're talking about a 250-pound guy and a 100-pound girl. It was just over the top," witness "D.C." said. "All I saw were her feet in the air and disappearing behind a cop car."
However, Dallas police and other witnesses tell a totally different story.
They said Metzinger was drunk and that she not only ignored officers who asked her to stop skating in the street, but also shouted profanities.
According to reports, an officer then tried to arrest Metzinger for public intoxication.
She resisted and attacked the officer, Lt. Rick Watson said.
"The officer attempted to turn her around, at which time the suspect then reached up and grabbed the officer's -- right part of his face -- trying to gouge the officer's eye," Watson said.
Despite the interest that the story has generated online and in the media, Metzinger said she would not comment on the incident until she had consulted with a lawyer.
Metzinger also had not filed a complaint report, so Dallas police were not conducting an internal investigation.
When I worked concert security and someone got bloodied, it was always proper for us to "get our stories straight." Or, as Eddie Murphy said in that movie, "You were lying your asses off." That LT is a lying piece of shit and so is the black cop who LIED in his report.
I'll tell you one thing for certain, this bastard needs to be caught and given a damn hard ball-batting. And then a WHITE magic marker taken to his forehead and the words BAD COP inscribed thereon. What was done was brutal, inexcusable and unjustified.
Police Deny Excessive Force In Bloody Arrest
Dramatic Pictures, Rumors Circulate Online
UPDATED: 6:11 pm CST January 16, 2006
Poster Comment:
Pictures taken by a witness clearly show the cops are LIARS!
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#411. To: christine (#407)
Good find, christine. You beat me to it :)
A follow up question regarding your eyewitness testimoney, if you would please. Regarding that very small cut you saw on Ms. Metzinger's face, on which side of her face was that cut?
(The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true good news)
well, like I said to Richard, the photographs that we DO see are far more
telling of what occurred than his "eyewitness" and possibly biased account.
that and the fact that this officer has had several prior excessive force
complaints.
Jethro, I do not know if she was or was not cited for obstruction and public intoxication. I did not pay attention to how her situation played out that night. I saw her drinking alcohol that evening, but I did not administer any test as to whether or not she was drunk, I based my assessment on her behavior and movement. Perhaps you should look into what happened to her...
Richard, another question on your eyewitness testimony if you would please. Police to investigate officer's scuffle with skater From Staff Reports Dallas police have launched an internal investigation into the arrest of a roller derby player who scuffled with an officer trying to cite her for public intoxication and skating in traffic last weekend in Deep Ellum. The investigation will determine whether Officer Ceaphus Gordon, 39, a 13-year department veteran, acted improperly when he fought with Michelle Metzinger, 25, a member of Assassination City, a roller derby team. About 12:45 a.m. Saturday, Ms. Metzinger was skating in traffic in the 2800 block of Elm Street when the officer tried to write her a ticket and arrest her on a charge of public intoxication, according to a police report. The officer stated in his report that she was belligerent and that when he tried to arrest her, she tried to gouge his eye. While trying to control her, the officer lost his balance and both fell to the ground, the report states. Dallas police Chief David Kunkle said the department is taking witnesses' allegations of excessive force seriously. "We just thought it was good to start the investigation now while the memories of the witnesses are fresh and they'll be easy to find," Kunkle said. Police records show since 1994 there have been at least six allegations against Officer Gordon of excessive force, physical abuse or assault. Gordon has been disciplined twice for escalating or participating in a disturbance, and once for conduct discrediting the department. Some of the probes into allegations pointed at the officer were inconclusive, and he has received some commendations for good work. Meanwhile, Metzinger and her attorney said they may also file a complaint against Officer Gordon. WFAA-TV reporter Rebecca Lopez contributed to this report. So Richard, your eyewitness testimony is that Officer Gordon "simply took her to the ground and handcuffed her" but the police report states he lost his balance and both fell to the ground. How do you explain this difference in your eyewitness testimony and the police report?
(The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true good news)
But in your #401 you state categorically she was drunk. Which of your statements is true?
Sounds like he's trying to find a way to explain being 'over zealous'.. if his actions were on the up and up.. why try to doctor the report in this way?
Christine, ANY complaint that is filed against an officer, regardless of whether it is frivolous or not, has to be logged in his file. That he has only received SIX frivolous complaints (note, NOT convictions or disciplines) in 15 YEARS speaks more to his ability to use good judgement in situations than anything else. All you see in the photos is a suspect being restrained. You don't know why or what happened prior to the photos. You can't tell if she pulled a knife, a gun, or a bazooka before she was taken to the ground and handcuffed. Christine, I know the photos make GREAT emotional fodder, but you are just looking at pictures, you were NOT there, and I was. I saw what happened. This is not a big deal, she resisted arrest, assaulted a police officer, and got a small cut as a result.
excellent find. one witness: "the officer planted his knee in the side of her head."
Jethro, She was categorically drunk according to my definition of the term. She had slurred speech, had trouble standing, was overly loud in public, was drinking a lot, ... those are the methods I use. So, according to MY opinion, yes, she was categorically drunk. I never claimed to be an expert on the subject, I am going off my personal experiences. Besides, Jethro, being as how this will never go to trial, what does it matter?
Starwind, You know very little it is clear. The statement that she "refused treatment at the scene" means that she declined to have the paramedics stitch her up, not that her injuries were not tended to. It does not take a very big cut on the face to receive stitches, and I can understand why she would not want to be treated at the scene for a facial cut. You are trying to make something out of nothing, Star, you are grasping at straws. She was indeed treated at the scene, triaged, and taken to the hospital for the stitches. Not a big deal.
Christine, As for your statements about eyewitness testimony. Why are you so willing to believe the eyewitness testimony that you WANT to believe if you know that ALL eyewitness testimony is fundamentally flawed? See, you can't have it both ways... sorry.
Christine, There is NO way to determine WHOSE blood that is in the picture. None at all. You would have to do testing on the blood to determine to whom it belonged. Also, Christine, remember that you have thrown out ALL eye-witness testimony as being fundamentally flawed, so you can't go back to it when it suits your points.
Jethro, How old are you?
BTP, Wow, you are a racist and an idiot (not surprising, the two often go hand in hand)... it is good to see that you know as little about the human anatomy as you do about proper race relations. The face bleeds far more easily and more profusely than the hands do if you put cuts of equal size on them. Perhaps you should try it on your own face and hands as a test right now? I mean, in the interest of science, of course.
Jethro, No video plays when you click on your link.
Christine, Remember: YOU were the one who pointed out that ALL eyewitness testimony is fundamentally flawed. So I guess we can throw out your "excellent find." Sorry.
56 and you?
the photos we DO see are consistent with all other reports i've read other than yours and that of Lt Watson. it's michelle's head on the ground with the officer atop her. it's his knee i see planted on her back and it's her blood i see gushing from her face. i see no blood on him and it says in a report above that he was treated only for scratches and bruises to his chin. you say Starwind is grasping at straws? you're the one grasping at straws. you really have no more stake in this than a mere eyewitness? doubtful.
Inadmissible. Next!
36
Christine, AGAIN: YOU already threw out ALL eyewitness testimony as fundamentally flawed. You can't go back to it when it suits your cause after you have dismissed it. Christine, I came here to tell you what I SAW. From the very beginning, I have been vilified by this body of people. Not one person here gave me the benefit of the doubt and wanted to listen to my story, instead I have been called everything from a flat out liar to a paid shill for the federal government sent here to "spin" the story. I have nothing at stake here other than to defend myself from all these attacks on me and tell the truth about what I saw that night. I am not the judge, jury or excecutioner. I am just an eyewitness to the situation. I was there and I saw what I saw. For saying so I have been crucified.
ROFLMAO! Jethro, you made me laugh. Sorry, but my testimony is not inadmissable because I am not an expert on determining the state of intoxication of an individual. I never claimed to be an expert, so you can't strike it from the record. I am an eye-witness, the jury can draw whatever conclusions they like from my statements. But who are we kidding... this will never go to trial.
Thank you. Will you also kindly answer where she was relative to the scene when she was "triaged" by paramedics that you saw her, and please answer on which side of her face was that "very small cut" that you saw?
(The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true good news)
Richard you seem to also have overlooked these questions in my post #416: How do you explain this difference in your eyewitness testimony and the police report? (The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true good news)
I'm not as sure about that as I was. The video that you unfortunately can't see shows me a vulnerable officer. I'd take it to trial if she were my daughter. I don't see a jury believing the cop, not to mention your testimony (g).
Starwind, There is little difference between "took her to the ground" and "he lost his balanace and they both fell to the ground" from an observational standpoint. She was on rollerskates so I would presume that when she was resisting arrest and assaulting the police officer, he went to grapple her, but because she was unable to keep her footing due to her rollerskates, they both fell to the ground. Sorry, but from my point of view, I was not looking to evaluate whether or not he should be awarded points for a proper wrestling takedown. He subdued his assailant, which is his job, and did so without causing serious bodily injury to the suspect. He did a great job, even moreso if he took her safely to the ground as a result of losing his balance due to her skates. So, to answer your question: there is little difference between the two accounts other than perspective.
Jethro, She is 25, so if she was your daughter, you would not have a say in whether or not it went to trial, sorry. Trust me, she will plead this out before Valentine's Day...
And are you going to answer? Will you also kindly answer where she was relative to the scene when she was "triaged" by paramedics that you saw her, and please answer on which side of her face was that "very small cut" that you saw?
(The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true good news)
Were you there, Richard? I ask, only because this is about the 73rd time on this thread that you emphasized the point.
BTW: I have a better name for the software .... Microsoft Internet Exploder. I have 2 daughters both over 25 and they would take my advice in this type of matter. I also know attorneys who would drop what they were doing to help me. Trust me, large money awaits young Michelle. Hey, you had a daughter as a young buck, no??
I believe that
from your very first post was the reason you got a lot of the reaction you
did. I don't think you've been crucified and I saw some posts where some
concessions were made on the part of others. I haven't seen that from you. If
you did, I missed it. I am very curious, though, why you care so much for
what "this body of people" think about this incident that you would spend this
much time here.
Respect??? That's not what I learned, Richard. I learned alot about you. Respect the pig so he won't beat me like the vicious dog that he is, Richard? That is repect in your twisted world?? I guess you had alot of respect for the East German Stazi. They were your kinda people, Richard.
"Our country is now geared to an arms economy bred in an artificially-induced psychosis of war hysteria and an incessant propaganda of fear." -- General Douglas MacArthur
Inadmissible. Next! Right, JT, his definition is subjective. And if he claims my professional opinion based on 11 years in the line is of no effect, then his unprofessional opinion based on subjective views (he said himself he is tired of the drunks in Deep Ellum) is a load of hogwash. In other words, he is a liar and a fraud. ;0)
The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic State itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism -- ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Starwind, The injury that I saw was on her left cheek. I am sorry that I did not diagram the situation, where and how she was treated before going to the hospital was not information that I felt would be important. Why and how she was arrested seemed important, so I focused on those things. It occured in the street between the July Alley bar and the Elm Street bar.
I ask, only because this is about the 73rd time on this thread that you emphasized the point. Neil, I emphasize it because people like you consistently try to say that I was not there.
I can understand your outrage as a parent, but she is not to win a large settlement in this issue. She will plead down the assault and take the Public Intox and Resisting Arrest. She has no shot in civil court if she admits that she resisted arrest and only has a small cut to show for it. Sorry, even if she is cute and little, it ain't gonna wash when she is admitting that she resisted the officer, which predicated her injuries. She will be lucky if the city picks up her hospital bills, and she will still have to pay for the PI and resisting charges. It is not a winnable case.
Christine, You are one of the only voices of reason, and I apprecaite your comments. I was upset with the coverage I read and saw concerning this incident. When I searched for internet coverage of the event I found this site. I saw a lot of people who were not there who were laboring under some large misconceptions about what happened. As a witness, I told them my side of what happened and have been attacked ad nauseum since then. I apologize if my being put on the defensive has made me snippy. I was actually hoping to find people much like yourself to discuss this matter with in a civil fashion. In my view, this whole incident is a non-issue where a drunk person resisted arrest. I have seen several drunks resist arrest before, and her treatment was NOT severe, savage, excessive, or, for that matter, even that harsh being as how she took a swing at him. Had she just been sitting there minding her own business and the cop snuck up behind her and started pummelling her, I would be on her side. In this case, she resisted, and she got a little cut. Not a big deal. To hear people on this site talking about hanging the officers being a reasonable course of action it makes me angry. This woman resisted being arrested and got hurt as a result. I would have been happier had she simply listened to the officer and followed his instructions peacefully. No, it is not a good thing that her conduct resulted in her being injured, and I can understand how seeing photos of a woman with blood on her face can be disturbing to those of you who did not see how the blood got there in the first place - but it is a consequence of her actions. She made a choice, and it was a poor one. No one is taking that into account here. Thanks for asking.
Tom, Wow, again the fascist reference... how melodramatic... How about simply respecting a person who is charged with upholding the law when they are upholding the law? If a policeman tells you you are under arrest and says to put your hands on the car, or tells you you are under arrest and to put your hands behind your back, you should listen to them... NOT fight them. Respect is listening to the police when they tell you to put your hands on the car. Respect is not resisting arrest when the the police tell you that you are going to jail. Respect is not fighting with a police officer who is attempting to handcuff you. Or is that too much to ask of you, Tom?
BTP, I claim that your professional opinion is invalid because you did not see the incident and are therefore not in a position to comment upon the actions of either party. That I am tired of drunks in Deep Ellum does not make me a liar or a fraud. It speaks simply to the complete lack of respect for authority that is exhibited by people when they are intoxicated. A lack of respect that, on Saturday, resulted in a suspect and a police officer sustaining injuries. Sorry we all can't be racists like you, BTP. Your blatant racism also disqualifies you from giving any sort of valid opinion.
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#412. To: Richard (#408)
#413. To: BTP Holdings (#410)
#414. To: Jethro Tull (#406)
#415. To: Has this video been posted yet? (#410)
#416. To: Richard (#396)
He did not beat her, he did not mace her, he did not use his baton, he did not taze her. He simply took her to the ground and handcuffed her.
11:00 AM CST on Wednesday, January 18, 2006
#417. To: Richard (#414)
I saw her drinking alcohol that evening, but I did not administer any test as to whether or not she was drunk,
#418. To: Starwind (#416)
While trying to control her, the officer lost his balance and both fell to the ground, the report states.
#419. To: christine (#413)
#420. To: view the video JT linked! (#415)
#421. To: Jethro Tull (#417)
#422. To: Starwind (#408)
#423. To: christine (#407)
#424. To: christine (#404)
that IS her blood
#425. To: Jethro Tull (#409)
#426. To: BTP Holdings (#410)
#427. To: Jethro Tull (#415)
#428. To: christine (#420)
excellent find. one witness: "the officer planted his knee in the side of her head."
#429. To: Richard (#425)
#430. To: Richard (#424)
#431. To: Richard (#421)
She was categorically drunk according to my definition of the term.
#432. To: Jethro Tull (#429)
#433. To: christine (#430)
the photos we DO see are consistent with all other reports i've read other than yours and that of Lt Watson.
#434. To: Jethro Tull (#431)
Inadmissible. Next!
#435. To: Richard (#422)
The statement that she "refused treatment at the scene" means that she declined to have the paramedics stitch her up, not that her injuries were not tended to.
It does not take a very big cut on the face to receive stitches, and I can understand why she would not want to be treated at the scene for a facial cut.
#436. To: Richard (#416)
So Richard, your eyewitness testimony is that Officer Gordon "simply took her to the ground and handcuffed her" but the police report states he "lost his balance and both fell to the ground".
#437. To: Richard (#434)
But who are we kidding... this will never go to trial.
#438. To: Starwind (#436)
#439. To: Jethro Tull (#437)
#440. To: Richard (#438)
#441. To: Richard (#419)
... you were NOT there, and I was.
-- George Bonser
#442. To: Richard (#439)
She is 25, so if she was your daughter, you would not have a say in whether or not it went to trial, sorry.
#443. To: Richard (#433)
She got what she deserved. Perhaps you all will learn a little
respect the police from this lesson.
#444. To: christine (#443)
Perhaps you all will learn a little respect the police from this lesson.
#445. To: Jethro Tull (#431)
She was categorically drunk according to my definition of the term.
#446. To: Starwind (#435)
#447. To: Neil McIver (#441)
Were you there, Richard?
#448. To: Jethro Tull (#442)
Jethro,
#449. To: christine (#443)
#450. To: tom007 (#444)
Respect??? That's not what I learned, Richard. I learned alot about you. Respect the pig so he won't beat me like the vicious dog that he is, Richard? That is repect in your twisted world??
#451. To: BTP Holdings (#445)
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