Yesterday’s Progress led with the confirmation of 21-year-old Corey Faison’s allegations that he was savagely beaten by several Albemarle County police officers last month. Progress staffers viewed a lengthy videotape of police attempting to interrogate an unresponsive Faison. Police grew increasingly frustrated, but finally snapped when Faison hit a camera out of their hands. Faison was thrown to the ground and punched dozens of times by several officers, despite his protests. One officer then commented that Faison should be a little more willing to talk at that point. County police maintain that their actions were warranted, and even believe that they could have beat him with nightsticks, should they have seen fit.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
-
Archive for Sideblog »
This is very, very bad for county police. I can’t believe that they’re still taking the he-had-it-coming angle on this. Given the presence of this video, I don’t see any other way to interpret this than that these officers are simply violent. Worse yet is Chief Miller’s tell-tale dodge of the question of if any Albemarle County officers should be off the streets. Not only do we need a review board, but these officers need to be fully investigated, not as a sealed private internal investigation, but under the eye of the public. One wonders how many other prisoners have been beaten in the county, prisoners who simply weren’t believed or were ignored when they complained to other officers of the assault?
Full disclosure: I knew Corey Faison many years ago, though only through an older brother. I couldn’t pick him out of a crowd.
This is indeed bad.It is not very very bad. I have seen very, very bad and this isn’t even close. Yet we should not be too quick to assume this happens all the time. The prisoner did attack the officer first-the officers overreacted to say the least.You or I haven’t seen the video. Obviously the newpapers have. Let’s take a moment and let’s see if justice is blind.
If this person had been black would we all be clammering for the “racist” policeman’s head? Are you comforted that this was done to an alledged white sex offender-a violator of woman? Would it be OK if this was done to one of the highjackers?
If this person had been black would we all be clammering for the “racist” policeman’s head? Are you comforted that this was done to an alledged white sex offender-a violator of woman? Would it be OK if this was done to one of the highjackers?
Er…well, you lost me there. But I don’t think I’m jumping to conclusions. I stated:
“One wonders how many other prisoners have been beaten in the county, prisoners who simply weren’t believed or were ignored when they complained to other officers of the assault?”
Well, it’s sort of a questionish type thing, but whatever. :) But, really, how could one not wonder if this is the tip of the iceburg? I mean, we do also have the cases of Frederick Gray and William Wingfield Jr. to consider. Combine those with the suit by Gray’s father, and the calls for a review board, and you’ll see that a picture is being painted here. I don’t think it’s premature at this point to suggest that a pattern of incompetence and violence is emerging, and that something may need to be done.
Why would anyone want to be a police officer!!! Why would anyone want to protoct our society from evil people whey all they get is derogeratory remarks and critisim from someone who would be the first to complain when they were harmed and the criminal was not punished. If anyone that is in custody by the police whines the slightest bit they have ground for brutality. If the “spoiled brats” of our society don’t want to obey the laws then we stretch the laws for them and make the ones enforcing them the wrong-doers. I would like to be around when the criminals attack and vandalise your home, property, family and the police stand back and say I’m sorry I cannot lay a finger on anyone due to it being called “brutality”.
i wonder when the police in this country will learn that people still have rights and that they are not they sole executioners of punishments that they themselves see fit to administer?
Maybe because they enjoy being shot at and collecting a tiny paycheck?
Long, long ago I was, for a short time, a "Criminal Investigator" .
The abuse of position by my fellows in so very many ways was unbelieveable.