Recently released dash-cam video shows West Virginia authorities beating injured 16-year-old after he crashed during a high-speed chase.
The incident took place on Nov. 19, 2018, and video, that was released by the Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office, shows the teen’s car ahead of police. Suddenly, the teen seemed to hit the brakes and crashed into an electric pole in Martinsburg. Officers then stopped their cars and pulled the young driver from a broken window and instead of administering medical attention, they decide to savagely beat the juvenile.
Several officers can be seen in the video punching and kicking the suspect and putting a knee into the kid’s neck as he lies helplessly on the ground. In another part of the disturbing video, one officer is seen picking up the teen by his neck as his hands are cuffed and throwing him to the ground while another officer lies nearby apparently injured. All of this took place while the other officers watched.
According to ABC News affiliate WCHS-TV, the prosecutor’s office said the entire footage is eight minutes and 26 seconds long.
Months after the incident, in January, two of the state troopers in the video were fired, according to ABC News. And one of those troopers have been indicted on several charges that include, using excessive force that resulted in bodily injury and deprivation of rights under color of law. Two other troopers lost their jobs after the incident.
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In December, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice held nothing back in his condemnation of the officer’s actions calling their actions “plain ridiculous” and “inexcusable.”
“I stand rock-solid with our police force in every way, shape, form or fashion but I’m not gonna stand rock-solid when something’s wrong,” Justice said.
The Berkeley Prosecutor’s Office said the FBI was also investigating the case in cooperations with local authorities