New video of 4 police officers beating Black man sparks calls for charges
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More video footage has been released and shows what led up to Mesa Arizona police officers’ brutal assault on an unarmed Black man.
Four cops in the video — three officers and a sergeant — have been placed administrative leave, reports AZ Central
Robert Johnson, was seen on video with his friend Erik Reyes. He was talking on a cellphone and leaning against a rail in an apartment building when four policemen came out of an elevator and started to frisk him for no apparent reason.
According to reports, Reyes’ girlfriend called the cops to report that he was trying to break in her apartment with Johnson. An officer questions Reyes and tells him to sit down. The officer told Johnson to wait. Three other cops arrive and see Johnson leaning against a rail and talking on a cell phone.
They search Johnson and then direct him to sit down against the wall, according to the video. Johnson questions why he needs to sit and leans against the wall with his legs stretched out.
After Johnson refuses to sit, four officers begin beating the defenseless man. Officer J. Jones knees Johnson twice in the stomach and punches him six times in the face, the video shows.
Officer R. Monarrez punched Johnson in the face at least once and another officer can be heard saying “Sit your ass down motherf–ker.”
Johnson was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and hindering police. Reyes was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia.
After the vicious and brutal assault was caught on camera, Mesa Police Chief Ramon Batista offered this limp assessment of the May 23 attack:
“I don’t feel that our officers were at their best,” said Mesa Police Chief Ramon Batista. “I don’t feel this situation needed to go the way that it went.”
Batista said he believes the officer used unnecessary force and that’s why they were placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Batista said following this incident the department will enact policy changes to “limit the opportunity where we will apply strikes to a person’s face or head absent the supporting conditions for that to occur,” and ensure more “stringent reporting of these events.”
Johnson’s attorney, Benjamin Taylor, said his client was “cooperative and following police instructions.”
Mesa City Councilman Jeremy Whittaker released a statement, calling the incident “appalling.”
“At first glance this video is appalling. It would be irresponsible of me to convict these officers in the court of public opinion before they are guaranteed their constitutional right to a fair trial as I understand there is a criminal investigation,” he said. “I have been told that these police officers are on administrative leave until this investigation is completed by an outside organization. I am eager for due process to take place. “
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