Reform-ed Alabama Cop
16 million reasons to lie
Stanley Davis III
1. Reform-ed Alabama Cop
This week a video went viral on social media. It depicted part of an interaction that Reform, Alabama police officer (Dana Elmore) had with Micah Washington during an arrest.
People are upset about this one. And, they should be. It’s bad.
The cell phone video shows Officer Elmore escorting Mr. Washington (who is handcuffed) to her police vehicle. She has him lean over the hood of the vehicle and proceeds to search his pockets.
Officer Elmore oddly conducts this search with a Taser in her hand and pressing against Mr. Washington’s back.
Mr. Washington informs Officer Elmore that he has a “gun” in his pocket. She quickly finds the gun, tosses it on the hood of the car, and says, “Oh Yeah!”. Mr. Washington then asked, “Why you saying “Oh yeah” for?”
At that point - Officer Elmore then deploys the Taser in “drive stun” mode for approximately five seconds and Mr. Washington screams and cries in pain. She then says, “Shut the fuck up” and “Do you want it again?”.
Before the Taser deployment Mr. Washington did not resist, pull away, or do anything aside from lean over the car. The use of the Taser was not only inappropriate, against any known use of force policy, and likely a battery against Mr. Washington.
The behavior of Officer Elmore is so bizarre and inappropriate that many people in this space thought it was a staged video for a low rent movie. I reached out to other content creators before I made a video on this case.
But, when the officer was place on administrative leave and the mayor and police chief made public statements - there is no question that this incident is tragically real.
Mr. Washington was arrested and charged with several crimes - including drug trafficking. However, there are some rumors that the charges have been dismissed and that the drug charges are fabricated.
We will keep an eye on this one.
2. 16 million reasons to lie
Ben Crump held a press conference this week and put Camden County on “notice” that a $16 million dollar lawsuit will be filed on behalf of the estate/family of Leonard Cure.
I did a breakdown of the Cure case (read here).
But, in short.
Mr. Cure was stopped for reckless driving.
Mr. Cure resisted the lawful arrest.
Mr. Cure wrapped his hands around the throat of the deputy - before the deputy used deadly force.
It was all captured on body and dash cam video and is obviously a reasonable use of force.
Ben Crump is of course a grifting liar and has no need or intent to be honest. Crump relies on the fact that no one will question the veracity of anything he says - as the accusation of racism will undoubtedly shortly follow any criticism.
For example - during the entire press conference - Crump did not once mention that Mr. Cure committed a crime, resisted arrest, and was trying to kill the deputy. But, he did mention several internal investigations that the deputy had been named in from a decade ago.
So, possible violations of administrative policy from ten years ago by the deputy - is relevant. But, Mr. Cure trying to choke the life out of the deputy as he was shot - not relevant. Ok. Got it.
It is not racist to call out liars.
3. Stanley Davis III
In December of 2021 the parents of 13-year-old Stanley Davis III bought him a dirt bike. The parents allowed him to ride the dirt bike around the city Boynton Beach, Florida - even though Florida law classifies this type of vehicle as an OHV (off highway vehicle) and requires riders to be 16-years-old.
The reckless driving of Mr. Davis III caught the attention of a police officer - who reasonably attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Mr. Davis III fled from police at a speed of 85 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. Mr. Davis III lost control of the vehicle, crashed, and died.
The officer was fired after an internal investigation found that he violated department police regarding vehicle pursuits. The family of Mr. Davis III has filed a lawsuit against the city.
•I do not blame the teenager
•I do not blame the cop.
•A tragic example of absent and irresponsible parents.
Final Thoughts
Nathan Woodyard - an officer indicted in the Elijah McClain case.
•Acquitted.
•Returned to his job.
•Will get $212,546 in back pay.
•Here’s the lesson.
DO NOT suspend, fire, or prosecute cops for no reason.
On the Davis case, do we know if the officer was fired because of the fatality resulting from the pursuit? If so, why was he disciplined more severely due to an outcome where he had no control.