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by luvmykid from dallas

Last Post 3 days, 5 hours Ago


2008, 8:51 AM CDT Philadelphia FOX affiliate WFXT had the cameras rolling during a confrontation between police officers and three suspects. Related Items Links Images Of Confrontation Stories 15 Philadelphia Police Officers Off Street After Video Released By PATRICK WALTERS
Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA  -- 

 A half-dozen police officers kicked and beat three men pulled from a car during a traffic stop as a TV helicopter taped the confrontation.

 The video, shot by Philadelpia FOX affiliate WTXF, shows three police cars stopping a car (Warning: Viewer Discretion Advised) Monday, two days after a city officer was shot to death responding to a bank robbery.

The tape shows about a dozen officers gathering around the vehicle. About a half-dozen officers hold two of the men on the ground (Images: MyFoxPhilly). Both are kicked repeatedly, while one is seen being punched; one also appears to be struck with a baton.

The third man is also kicked and ends up on the ground.

 ALSO FROM MYFOXPHILLY

 Video: Police Commissioner Says He's "Disappointed"

  • Video: Trio Taken Into Custody

     Video: Police Statement About Shooting

  •  Story: Beating Victim's Mother Reacts

  • "On the surface it certainly does not look good in terms of the amount of force that was used," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said. "But we don't want to rush to judgment."

    The officers were responding to a report of a shooting nearby, police said. It was not immediately clear what preceded the confrontation.

    Ramsey said Philadelphia officers have been on edge since Saturday, when Officer Stephen Liczbinski was fatally shot with an assault rifle after a robbery.

    Police fatally shot one of the robbery suspects; another was arrested Sunday and a third man is still being sought.

    "There is also a lot of heightened emotions since Sgt. Liczbinski was murdered on the streets just Saturday," Ramsey said.

    Liczbinski was the third officer slain on duty in the city in the last two years.

    Attorney D. Scott Perrine, who represents the three men seen in the video, said that as terrible as the officer's death was, it does not excuse such actions by police.

    "We don't take into consideration the emotions of police officers when it comes to the discharge of their duties. ... Your emotional state, being tired, doesn't justify what's on that video," Perrine said.

    He said one of his clients suffered a welt on his head the size of a baseball and one of his legs was seriously injured; he didn't know the extent of any injuries on the other two men.

    Perrine also said he did not know what preceded the traffic stop but called the actions seen on the tape unjustified.

    "It clearly shows a lack of any reasonable investigation before these police yank these individuals out of the car and take turns delivering blows," he said. "This is a time for a thorough investigation to see what it is that happened here."

    A court official said late Tuesday that the men had been charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangering. Bail was set for two of the men, while the third was awaiting arraignment.

    Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman, did not immediately return a call for comment from The Associated Press.

  • 22 Comments |  Add a Comment

    Member Comments Total Comments: 22
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    luvmykid read my blog
    May 7, 2008 | 12:07 PM

    WE DON'T WANT TO RUSH TO JUDGEMENT???!!!!

    Come on....get real.

    Watch the video and you INSTANTLY see these "pigs" beating these three "suspects"!

    You can even see one running from man to man and just kicking the BLEEP out of them.

    I am surprised that they did not allow the dog to bit them....at least that I could see.

    These are bad policemen and they deserve to go to jail.

    So what if an officer had been previously killed, that did not give them the right to "gang" up on these men and beat them down.

    I am just sick of this BLEEP!!

    chardoney read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 1:11 PM

    Maybe he was a blogger?

    chardoney read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 1:12 PM

    A joke, of course.

    This doesn't look good... cops can't beat someone up because they're mad or had to do some work. More is expected of cops, teachers & preachers. Just the way it is.

    ted-mania read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 1:21 PM

    I've never understood that mentality....when someone is down....they are down....no need to continue the assault on them....and kicking someone when they are already down is never necessary....to me at least....

    with that many freakin cops around..he is obviously not going to get away.....

    same thing with the "total shots fired" issue in some of these cases....did four or five cops really need to unload 10-12 rounds a piece just to stop someone?.....seriously....

    luvmykid read my blog
    May 7, 2008 | 1:34 PM

    It makes me sick that we don't even know when we can trust being pulled over by an officer who might be angry or just had a plain ole bad day and decides that he/she will take it out on you.

    And, of course, unless you have someone video taping (if your lucky and someone is around) you will be the one who has to prove your case.

    ted-mania read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 1:46 PM

    also....with a chopper buzzin overhead....did they NOT realize that they were being caught on tape?

    that just shows the amount of hostility that was going on at that scene....they were way too caught up in their agenda to think clearly....

    that is scary

    luvmykid read my blog
    May 7, 2008 | 2:08 PM

    Because they think that they can lie their way out of everything.

    Heck, listen to what the chif is saying, even after viewing the video from the helicopter.

    That must be one dumb chief or blind.

    I wish there was sound to it. I am sure that their words would have alot to say.

    You can tell that they were afraid to come out of that car. Look at the one officer who goes straight up to the car on the passenger side and starts banging the BLEEP out of the window with his baton.

    Who wouldn't be scared!! ?? !!

    acoolone read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 3:26 PM

    Well to me it looks like the cops had been chasing them for a while. If they had done nothing wrong then why run? I don’t feel sorry for criminals or what they get. We are quick to judge when we see things like this. But we fail to understand how hard it is to be a cop and what they go through everyday.
    These punks on the street who want to be bad guys get what they get. I think they should have let the dog loose on them. The next time you are someone you know is a victim of a crime you might think twice. What if that car they were chasing had hit another car and killed 2 kids ?

    terrellmom read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 3:46 PM

    i rushed to judgement when i saw the video where the cops were obviously beating and kicking those guys.

    acoolone...all i can say to your comment is LOL

    acoolone read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 4:46 PM

    Hmmm looking over my post, did I say you Or I? I think it was we, as in we as a society. But thanks for pointing out your shortcomings.

    terrellmom read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 6:03 PM

    i don't even know what you're talking about when you say "did i say you or i". with all the shortcomings of yours i've seen it would be easier for me to point out yours. but i'll just sit back and laugh at your ideas and know it's the alcohol talking. Have a good night and God bless :)

    deftone211 read my blog
    May 7, 2008 | 7:07 PM

    This is a truly sickening video! I hope that the suspects get FILTHY RICH from this, because its high time that people start getting there human and civil rights back.... and its about time that Bullys with badges start getting punished ... lets learn from the NYPD shooting and the ridiculous verdict that was turned over!

    Onyx read my blog view my photos
    May 7, 2008 | 8:35 PM

    This is an outrage!

    Hi, Luv...

    Bullies with badges...that's an accurate judgment call on this one. It's a shame that some cops, left to their own devices, behave like this. Left to their own devices, unsupervised and unfettered...it is highly probable to run into rogue police officers with an agenda, especially in the African American community.

    From what I understand, the actual shooter that night fled the scene, but since one of their own was gunned down recently, they decide to take their frustrations out on these guys once they catch up with them?

    I hate rogue cops with a passion. They spreaded out in three groups having a real go at each suspect. Swinging their nightsticks...kicking...punching...pulling...scratching
    ...

    They didn't have to let the dogs loose on them, hayell "the pack" was already in full force doing exactly what dogs do. Dog begets dog.

    BooBear read my blog view my photos
    May 8, 2008 | 12:47 AM

    Very sad! How 'bout all the citizens that were exposed to this trash speeding through the streets while cops tried to catch him? How 'bout all the cops who have been bitten, spit at, hit, etc and NOTHING was done about it. How 'bout this guy deciding he wanted to commit a crime and didn't even think who all he would be endangering. He really made some great choices. I'm not defending the cops for beating on this guy - but let's not downsize his criminal act for what the cops did either.

    BooBear read my blog view my photos
    May 8, 2008 | 1:00 AM

    P.S. If you look at the video closely - the suspects didn't even get out of the vehicle - they had to be taken out. The guy with the white shirt on looks like his hand is underneath him and could have possibly had a gun. Maybe all that is there can't be seen from the angle of the camera. When an officer gives a person a command - just do it and no harm should come to that person. I'm thinking perhaps not ALL elements are known - not justifying the cops kicking the suspect but if his hand isn't in clear view they have every right to use whatever force it takes for officer and public safety that is necessary to subdue this bastard. I guess we will see in the days to come. Also - those dudes are lucky they didn't put the police dog on them - that would have been worse believe me.

    acoolone read my blog view my photos
    May 8, 2008 | 3:10 AM

    Terrellmon, I truly believe you have no ideal.

    terrellmom read my blog view my photos
    May 8, 2008 | 5:00 AM

    I'll tell you and the rest what my "ideal" is.
    This is how i see it...

    The police and clergy members should live to the letter of the law they are they to enforce. They can not stoop to the level of the criminals or the sinners. Cops can't resort to beating suspects just like priests can't resort to raping alter boys. As cops like these beat their suspects they become the criminal and should be treated as such. If they can't handle the stress of being a cop...the being spat on, cursed at and treated with total disrespect then they should resign from their duties. They knew going in to it the kind of ppl they would be dealing with. It takes a strong person to be a good police officer...the men in that video failed and should be sitting in jail by the suspects they beat/kicked.

    banned_sally read my blog
    May 8, 2008 | 12:39 PM

    You know, I honestly kind of agreed with ACO until your last comment, TM.

    If you're going to run from the cops, you deserve a beat down. I never felt sorry for Rodney King.

    But you are SO RIGHT, TM. They are supposed to live the law that they enforce.

    So, whether I think the suspect deserves it or not is irrelevant.

    luvmykid read my blog
    May 8, 2008 | 12:51 PM

    You said it all, TM.

    The excuse of being upset because one had been gunned down days before does not give them the right to practically take a life themselves for no reason.

    Not only that.....BooBear...if you do look at the video closely, the officer ran straight to the passenger window and started banging it with the stick. It sure did not look like he was asking him to come out.

    They could have come up with guns pulled and asked them to come out....but, no, they ran up and PULLED them out and straight to the ground and started the beating.

    NO EXCUSE!!!! Wanna say you are a good cop and uphold the law?

    Then, don't act like the crimminal. Because, that is what these cops are.....crimminals.

    suecoop read my blog
    May 8, 2008 | 9:11 PM

    "I've never understood that mentality....when someone is down....they are down....no need to continue the assault on them....and kicking someone when they are already down is never necessary....to me at least...."

    My daddy used to say a man fights fair, and when the guy is down you quit. To do otherwise shows you are not an honorable man. What has happened that our society has degraded to the point that we have so many people in postitions of authority abusing that authority and shaking the public's confidence in those people we should be able to trust be it a priest, police officer, teacher, or whatever.?
    "They could have come up with guns pulled and asked them to come out...."

    I have to wonder if they would have come out of the car when asked, why wouldn't they stop when the police tried to pull them over? Maybe running scared from police makes your thinking so clouded that you can't make what to you and me would be a logical decision.

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