Title: Technologically Challenged Cops Assault Teen then Try to Delete Video, They Failed Source:
Free Thought Project URL Source:http://thefreethoughtproject.com/of ... e-footage/#DQu4R0QOsPKxoX0W.99 Published:Apr 9, 2015 Author:Cassandra Fairbanks Post Date:2015-04-11 00:51:35 by Deckard Keywords:None Views:15860 Comments:62
Virginia Beach, VA In January, 18-year-old Courtney Griffith was pulled over for the light on her license plate being out. Concerned by the officers aggressive behavior and knowing her rights, she propped her cell phone up on the dashboard to capture the incident.
After brutalizing her 17-year-old friend and taking them both into custody, the officers attempted to delete the footage. Luckily, the video went to a recently deleted file on her iPhone and was able to be recovered.
The young mother had just pulled into her driveway with the father of her child as well as her 17-year-old friend Brandon. As they turned in, police officers who were following her turned on their lights and pulled her over, citing the light above her license plate. One of the officers who pulled her over, Officer Pittman, was the same officer who had previously arrested her as a minor for possession of marijuana, something she maintains she no longer touches. Griffith believes that he had remembered her from their previous encounter.
The officers proceeded to tell the teenagers that the vehicle smelled like marijuana and demand that the passengers step out of the vehicle. At this point, there were four cop cars on the scene over a broken license plate light and the alleged smell of marijuana. Brandon, being a minor, repeatedly requested that his parents be present.
Griffith asks if she is being detained and the officers reply that she is. At this point, an officer moves the front passenger seat forward and instructs the teens to keep their hands visible at all times, after asking another officer to go cover the driver.
The teenagers are asked to step out of the vehicle. Brandon continues to request his parents be present while Griffith is heard calling the officer out on being the same cop that had previously pulled her over. Things begin to escalate, and the sensible young woman requests a sergeant be present to avoid her rights being further infringed.
An officer is heard grunting an order at Brandon and his eyes widen as he asks Griffith to make sure she is recording. As he is speaking, he is shot in the eyes with pepper spray.
Im seventeen years old, stop! he cries out as the pepper spray burns his eyes. He states that he is calling his mother and repeats that he is only a minor as the officers threaten to tase him.
Moments later he is hit with another round of pepper spray and tased. As he cries out in pain, the officers continue to grunt at him to get out of the vehicle.
Get out, or youre going to get it again! the officer states.
Alright, Brandon complies. As he begins to step out of the vehicle, hes shot with another volt of electricity from the officers taser, seemingly for no reason at all.
The officers begin beating him and screaming at him, continuing to escalate the situation and making things as hectic as possible. Brandon was ultimately tased four times. Eight cops were on the scene, with at least five of them involved in the assault on the unarmed teen.
At the end of the video, you can see an officer looking around the vehicle with a flashlight and then shutting off the camera. Griffith told The Free Thought Project that this was the Sargent she had requested to come to the scene. She believes he is the one who attempted to delete the footage.
They arrested me, never Mirandized me or Brandon, and they sent me off with a summons. When I went back to my car, my phone had been brought off the dashboard and was on the drivers seat. I asked the cops who deleted the video, after looking for it in my folder, and they all started laughing. It was sickening. I later found it in my recently deleted folder, Griffith told The Free Thought Project.
Brandon is currently imprisoned until July on charges of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
Please share this story widely and message the Virginia Beach Police to demand they conduct an investigation into these officers actions.
A comment left on the better written article, in the local posting. "Danny", obvioudly is a little more knowledgeable about details than the FTP.
"DANNY
Hey WTKR maybe instead of trying to get ratings and hits on your website you should actually report the facts and the news, which again are supposed to be facts, not just the story of a video shown liar which is the girl, and the family trying to not tell the full story. How about reporting if police smell weed coming from your car they dont need permission to search everywhere in your car, and the people in it for one. Secondly, instead of updating with more divisive facebook post, update it with the facts that WAVY news reported on so easily. First the Police found weed in the purse that they attached to the female in the video, you want to ask her about that, since she doesnt allow weed in her vehicle? Secondly the 17 year old telling police he wont get out till his mom is there, which again he doesnt have a right for unless he is being interrogated, was charged with possession with intent to sell (thats more than just a joint on him), resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice. Thirdly the police were all ready aware of the use of force from the Tazer video, which is FOIA material, why dont you get on that? Fourth we are to believe the claim of deleted video from a girl on video lying to police, secondly her Facebook is PUBLIC so I suggest you visit it. I could go on and on but I guess actually doing investigative reporting, and asking people on video that lie to police why they lied about the weed in their car is to hard hitting for you. Ill also add that a simple case search on Virginia Court Case Information site and her name, shows that Public Defender TORGERSON handled her case, again why not see why it was truly dismissed. However, I doubt you will research any of that stuff of just update the simple facts of charges or ask why she lied to Police, or the fact that the guy who refused to get out to be searched didnt want to get out because he had weed on him. Again dont put the spotlight on the criminals in this case, put it on the Police. How disgusting is this attorney for comparing the murder of a fleeing man by a cop, to a punk drug carrying 17 year old mouthing off and getting the proper response to get him out the car.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
There is nothing better than reading about a Professional Kop beating a poor, wittle kid over a license plate issue on a Saturday.
He was sitting on a felony amount of weed. You really bought his story that he couldn't get out of the car because his mommy wasn't there? lol
He was putting on an academy award performance so officers wouldn't find the stash he was sitting on. There was a small amount of pot in the girls (driver) purse... you know, the girl that says there has never been pot in her car.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
yeah, that ebil weed really really required unprofessional actions by kestone kops with klubs to beat sense into the wittle kids.
Yeah, your PHD on constitutional law combined with your inside information on this case allows you your anarchist idiolgy and this writers yellow journalistic slant because you (and the writer) defend kriminals that kant understand konstitutionally tested kannabis laws because you've burnt out the brain cells in your karnium with Alex Jones koolaid.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Why did the cops attempt to delete the video if they were in the right?
Oh, I know.
Because they were shown beating, tasing and pepper-spraying a 17 year old kid who wasn't resisting.
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Yeah, your PHD on constitutional law combined with your inside information on this case allows you your anarchist idiolgy and this writers yellow journalistic slant because you (and the writer) defend kriminals that kant understand konstitutionally tested kannabis laws because you've burnt out the brain cells in your karnium with Alex Jones koolaid.
What exactly *is* a kriminal, GrandIsland? Tell the chit-chat channel.
Why did the cops attempt to delete the video if they were in the right?
That's the only issue being investigated by the administration of this department. The video itself shows no impropriety in the use of force continuum used. Verbal, no comply, OC, no comply, taser, no comply... Hands on. It's actually text book, and the 17 year old wasn't reporting any injuries (even by your crappy news source).
The chief already publicly stated he will charge (and fire) all the officers with tampering if he finds there is any truth to her claim... but Deckard, those officers have a right to DUE PROCESS of the allegations. You seem to pick and choose how much you support constitutional rights depending on if you hate someone or not. Some or all of them have been suspended from duty pending investigation. What more do you want? The Tasers have video as well. I didn't see them do anything wrong on her video... so i have no clue why they would delete it.
You posted a video of two liars, Both had an illegal substance, regardless if you think it should be legal, ITS NOT, PERIOD. All supported by yellow journalism. I have no clue why you risk your credibility over such garbage when there is actual corrupt LE incidents that are reported with credibility (like the SC shooting in the back). You never cease to amaze me.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
What exactly *is* a kriminal, GrandIsland? Tell the chit-chat channel.
A 17 year old kannabis possessing, Kan't follow the law brat that thinks he has a konstitutional right to his mommy before the Kops kan find his felony amount of Kannabis... = "kriminal"
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Your lexicon seems a wee bit biased for a retired, kid skool patrol guard. What is your problem with non-violent behaviour by the obvious victims while you defend the literal terrorist approach of a police state attempting to OVERPOWER little kids?
Non violent behavior can still be deemed illegal AND constitutionally sound... even if your anarchist, hippie tree hugging feeling are hurt by this ideal.
This was non violent... until the 17 year old forced it to be violent. He was given a non violent VERBAL command to exit the car. Had he complied, the whole incident would have been non violent. The CHOICE was his.
You lose any credibility by defending the defenseless... but then again, being Anonymous, you don't KARE.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
This was non violent... until the 17 year old forced it to be violent. He was given a non violent VERBAL command to exit the car. Had he complied, the whole incident would have been non violent. The CHOICE was his.
There was no "choice" even by your own admission. It was an order by the POLICE STATE.
The video itself shows no impropriety in the use of force continuum used.
Once again - if the cops did nothing wrong, why try to delete the evidence?
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
There was PC to give that order (and later marijuana found, so their PC was accurate) It was his duty to follow that command.... all done by the constitutional book... but you still don't like it because you love your Kannabis.
6 officers dealing with two resistors is hardly a "police state".
You'd keep more Kredibility if you'd just argue on threads about drug laws... not defending obvious Kriminal behavior and uncivil civilian actions... but you don't Kare how stupid you look, you are anonymous
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Once again - if the cops did nothing wrong, why try to delete the evidence?
It was deleted because the female driver said so? Is that what you base your whole credibility on?
She wouldn't lie... LMAO... remember, there has never been pot in her vehicle... exceptin her purse on on momma's little boy.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Truth is treason in the empire of lies. - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
And we know how truthful the female driver was. LOL
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
Were you not smart enough to see how your doppelgänger, Bucky, spells Kops & Klubs? Then again, you've always displayed hypocracy. lol
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
There was PC to give that order (and later marijuana found, so their PC was accurate) It was his duty to follow that command.... all done by the constitutional book... but you still don't like it because you love your Kannabis.
Duty by a US Citizen to obey a "command" issued by a local yahoo, keystone kop that graduated from POLICE STATE AKADEMY... where is that written in the US Constitution?
6 officers dealing with two resistors is hardly a "police state".
Call OVERWHELMING FORCE by any other name, "terrorist" ... "police state" etc.
You'd keep more Kredibility if you'd just argue on threads about drug laws... not defending obvious Kriminal behavior and uncivil civilian actions... but you don't Kare how stupid you look, you are anonymous
Simply said, you don't seem to understand the unwarranted violence perpetrated upon civilians by a well known police state practices. By any other name, a kop is a fuckin' terrorist.
Duty by a US Citizen to obey a "command" issued by a local yahoo, keystone kop that graduated from POLICE STATE AKADEMY... where is that written in the US Constitution?
The 4th amendment is a guaranteed right of yours absent PROBABLE CAUSE... and a guaranteed right for the police to your persons and property if you should supply that PROBABBLE CAUSE.
TO WIT, LE smelled pot in the car. TO WIT, pot was found. TO WIT; the officers actions were condtitutionally PROTECTED. Those potheads Kan either Komply with a constitutionally lawfull order to get out of the Kar or be tased.
Your Konstitutional sKolarship is showing. lol
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
You can either live or die by the 4th amendment, Bucky. It's not a guaranteed right to break the law. Sometimes it helps the police... LIKE HERE. lol
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
The 4th amendment is a guaranteed right of yours absent PROBABLE CAUSE... and a guaranteed right for the police to your persons and property if you should supply that PROBABBLE [sp] CAUSE.
I guess a minor lite bulb deemed non working lead to a POLICE STATE MENTALITY to ensure beating little kids.
How about reporting if police smell weed coming from your car they dont need permission to search everywhere in your car, and the people in it for one. Secondly, instead of updating with more divisive facebook post, update it with the facts that WAVY news reported on so easily. First the Police found weed in the purse that they attached to the female in the video,
Cops claiming they "smell" weed in the car could have been a fabrication on their part. It's a convenient alibi, since if they don't find any they can always claim, well, that they honestly thought they did and then the search is justified.
Cops may also have planted weed in her purse after the stop. Cops planting evidence is not unheard of. Knowing the girl had a prior incident with weed would make planting weed fairly safe for them to do.
If the cop stopped the camera from video recording, then that is something he had no reason nor right to do, regardless of whether he went further and attempted to delete it. Do whatever search is truly justified, but don't shut off recording devices. Attempting to delete the vid, if true, would constitute tampering and/or destruction of evidence, a crime if done by anyone, including of course cops.
Seems to me the use of the tazer was excessive, that after the first zap (regardless of whether that was appropriate) the kid was zapped again after he began to get out, in spite of there being about zero warning. Cops said to get out, he said, "alright" and began to move, and was zapped again. I've seen that before, where cops zap someone just as the person begins to comply, since that's the cop's last chance to harm the person involved.
Why was pepper spray employed? I can see pepper spray being used to stop someone who is attempting to get physical, which this kid was not, even if he was mouthy. Same for tazing, actually.
The kid was charged with assault and battery, and resisting arrest, apparently for actions that occurred AFTER he was pepper sprayed and tazed. How much of one's reaction, during and after being tazed and pepper sprayed, in the presence of numerous cops while being himself grabbed and forced to the ground in an escalated situation can be considered voluntary?
To me the vid shows cops escalating the situation unnecessarily. And it all starts over the horrible crime of a license plate bulb allegedly being out? I'd like to see the police dash cam on this one.
It is a civil responsibility to react against state terrorism in America. Or did you not read the US Declaration of Independence? The citizenry are not obedient slaves to any government in America whether you like it or not based on your police akademy two month course about how to hide behind a donut and a free cup o' koffee.
If there was a real police state in this country, you'd be shackled to Deckard in some jail cell, trying to make to roll cigarettes with toilet paper while Deckard licks them, by now... so enough of your drama.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
It is a civil responsibility to react against state terrorism in America.
Based on your definition? HAAAAAAAA
Let me know how the world in you head works out for you.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
If there was a real police state in this country, you'd be shackled to Deckard in some jail cell, trying to make to roll cigarettes with toilet paper while Deckard licks them, by now... so enough of your drama.
Hey donut man, don't make phun about Deckard. You can rant all you want against his posts but there is merit about the posting. If you were to even open your eyes for a second, you could look around the INET just as he performs and see that there is a serious problem in America about a POLICE STATE MENTALITY.
Cops claiming they "smell" weed in the car could have been a fabrication on their part
absolutely correct. Yes it could. So what do you suggest. Because an officers senses "could be fabricated, has been fabricated in past history or isn't 100% proven by you on a polical forum, they shouldn't be allowed to use them for PC?
At some point, all it looks like you desire isn't what is right or wrong... just how laws can be violated without detection.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
buckeroo: It is a civil responsibility to react against state terrorism in America.
GrandIsland: Based on your definition? HAAAAAAAA
OK, it all based on GrandIsland's two month and all tax payer course @POLICE AKADEMY SKOOLING to ensure POLICE STATE definitions ensure plenty of donut eating & koffee slurping from impeding individual liberties even for a burn't out lite bulb.
Like two people recording themselves saying there is no weed in the car... and both have it... AND THE ARTICLE WITH "MERIT" DECLINES TO WRITE ABOUT THAT?
You are Kunfused what "merit" is if you base "merit" on these two Einstein's or almost any FTP article.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
OK, it all based on GrandIsland's two month and al
Bucky, there are only three sides of law. Enforcing, defending and prosecuting. I've spent 20 years enforcing. What's your experience with law besides breaking it? lol
And my basic was 6 months.
Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves. What is equally true is that every community gets the kind of law enforcement it insists on. Robert Kennedy
From a "lite bulb" to "marijuana" to what next? Probable tax evasion to pay your state pension for being a retired skool cross guard that may have beaten little kids for having no free donuts in their lunch pails that you personally confiscated and eat on the spot.
absolutely correct. Yes it could. So what do you suggest. Because an officers senses "could be fabricated, has been fabricated in past history or isn't 100% proven by you on a polical forum, they shouldn't be allowed to use them for PC?
What I suggest is doing away with laws that don't serve any public good, such as outlawing a plant that's been growing on this earth long before the alphabet was invented.
When cops deal with real crimes that actually have victims then, issues of probable cause hold a lot more water.