(MOBILE, Ala.) April 20- You could describe the video as startling, dramatic, even eye-catching, but Henry Brewster, lawyer for Rondald Reed calls it a civil rights violation.
"It's a fourth amendment right of all citizens not to be subject to an excessive force during an arrest," says Brewster.
Brewster says the exclusive video captured by an NBC 15 crew last year in Washington County helps build his case against the former cop Blaine Barnett. Brewster filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Reed claiming Barnett assaulted and battered Reed and that his actions amounted to malicious conduct or conduct engaged in bad faith.
"They went so far overboard in how they reacted, tasing him in the car when he wasn't doing anything, pulling him on the pavement, banging his head against the pavement," says Brewster. "That is so far beyond what's allowed."
Despite Brewster's assessment of the tape, late last year a Washington County grand jury found there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute Barnett for assault and harassment.
McIntosh Police have said the chase started as a routine traffic stop that accelerated when Reed would not stop.
The lawsuit is seeking money for Reed's injuries, anxiety and stress he claims was caused by the encounter. His lawyer won't talk about a dollar amount, saying he would leave it up to a jury.
Reed got two misdemeanor citations after his arrest for reckless driving and possession of marijuana, but the lawsuit claims the charges have not been prosecuted. NBC 15 could not get in touch with Blaine Barnett.
