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Video prompts police brutality case [Williamson Daily News, W.Va.](Williamson Daily News (WV) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 05--DELBARTON -- A surveillance video that has over 500 shares on Facebook and has gone viral over several other media sites on the internet, has prompted an investigation into allegations of police brutality by the Mingo County Sheriff's Department (MCSD). According to reports, Jerry Maynard, who resides in the Delbarton community, called Mingo County 911 on Thursday, October 30 and requested an ambulance because he was experiencing chest pain. Medical personnel with STAT Ambulance responded to the call and accessed the patient. After hearing that his vitals were within normal limits, the male chose to decline transport. Maynard, who admits publicly to consuming some whiskey during the evening hours, said that after a short time had passed he once again started hurting in his chest and called for an ambulance a second time. Rebel Carey, Supervisor for STAT Ambulance Mingo County operations, told the Williamson Daily News that when the second call for assistance came through, police officers were dispatched to accompany the ambulance due to unpleasant experiences medics had in the past with Maynard. "Several times we have responded to a call from Mr. Maynard that ended in violence or threats of violence," stated Carey. "He drinks quite a bit and if he's intoxicated when he calls for an ambulance, more often than not he gets confrontational and belligerent ... he gets physical with the EMT's and that's a potentially dangerous situation to be in." Carey said although he is not clear at this time whether the crew on the ambulance that responded to the second call on Oct 30 to Maynard's resident requested law enforcement to be there, or if they were dispatched by 911 dispatchers, who are also familiar with Maynard's past. He knows the police did not just show up on their own, they were told to respond. Maynard was again accessed for medical problems by EMT's and chose to sign a refusal for transport the second time as well. "I can assure you that if we had seen anything when making the patient assessment, that we would have viewed as need for immediate medical attention. We would have done everything possible to convince the patient to let us take him to the hospital, but once they refuse -- no matter what they may be experiencing, we can't force them ... it's their choice to make. In this case, Mr. Maynard called twice for an ambulance and signed a refusal both times." The incident between Maynard and MCSD Sgt. Arthur Farra occurred after the ambulance had exited the parking area. The video surveillance that was captured from a neighbor's camera shows Maynard and Farra walking toward one another and then you can see the officer shoving the male to the ground, where he remained for approximately 1-2 minutes before getting to his feet on his own accord. It is important to note that the video does not include sound. Also present at the time the event played out before the camera was Cpl. E. Williams with the MCSD. After Maynard gets back on his feet, he is seen walking back toward his residence. The officers are recorded as they get in their cruisers and leave the scene. Maynard told news media that the officer "Hit me and knocked me down and when he did, everything went dark. I put my hands up because I didn't know if he was going to hit me with his light or what." MCSD Sheriff James Smith stated that although he is limited about what he can disclose at this time due to an internal investigation that is being assisted by the Mingo County Prosecutor's Office, he feels his deputy did nothing wrong and said that since he has taken office a little over a year ago, he has received no complaints against Farra. When asked about whether complaints had been filed against the officer under past administration, Smith said he was unsure and could not speak for past sheriffs, but nothing stands out to him concerning the 12-13 police veteran. As of now, Farra is on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete. More information will be released on this incident as it becomes available. (Rachel Dove is a news reporter for the Williamson Daily News and can be contacted at 304-235-4242, ext. 2278 or via e-mail at [email protected].) ___ (c)2014 Williamson Daily News (Williamson, W.Va.) Visit Williamson Daily News (Williamson, W.Va.) at www.williamsondailynews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |