Texas Trooper indicted for assaulting a bus passenger who laughed at him.

[Xicano]

March 30, 2011:

A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper captured on Capital Metro bus surveillance video grabbing, dragging and pushing a male passenger in October has been indicted by a Travis County grand jury on two misdemeanor charges.

(Watch video of the encounter at the bottom of this story.)

Don MacFarlane, who had been assigned to Capitol District patrol, was removed from his job pending an investigation into a complaint connected to the Oct. 3 encounter on the bus.

Late Tuesday, the grand jury handed down an indictment charging him with official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, and assault, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine.


http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/courts/entries/2011/03/30/dps_trooper_indicted_in_bus_en.html?cxntfid=blogs_austin_legal

[opihimoimoi]

1. Rogue Cop needs jail time

[leveymg]

2. Stupid trooper. Forgot that squad cars aren't the only public vehicles with video cameras today.

Looks like that "tough guy" act didn't impress a Grand Jury any more than it did the passengers on that bus.

[demosincebirth]

3. Just think of the shit they got away with before videos...and maybe still do.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. That's why police should be required to wear tamper-proof personal video devices ...

... every minute they are on duty.

[leveymg]

11. Even as a resolute First Amendment type, I'm inclined to agree with you.

A live record would make it much easier to write up arrest reports, as well.

[Mariana]

16. One thing we've learned from all the vids that have come out

of cops breaking the law is that their colleagues never stop them. They either stand around watching and doing nothing, or they actively join in the fun. I've never once seen any vid of one cop who observed another cop breaking the law, and who then arrested the lawbreaking cop. Neither do they tackle them, taze them, cuff them, or do anything else to stop the crimes being perpetrated before their eyes.

[Mariana]

15. Look at how many of them are stupid enough

to break the law even when they KNOW they're being recorded!

[FormerDittoHead]

4. I don't know.... Was it really that bad?

First - buses in Texas have NINE cameras??? Note to self: don't discuss where I get my MP3's on a Texas bus!

Second - I am WAY against police brutality and intimidation, but is this really that bad? If this is what passes for "police brutality" in Texas, you could come to Philly and see how it's REALLY done...

For other examples, check out: http://www.reddit.com/r/Bad_Cop_No_Donut/

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. While I agree that wasn't the worst case of police misconduct, I hope they fry the Piggy.

It appears he has been in trouble before.

Furthermore, if he is willing to assault an innocent by-stander IN FRONT of a bus full of passengers, what else is this pig capable of?

[FormerDittoHead]

12. He will pay the price, but there's a lot worse shit going down out there: WATCH THIS VIDEO

This guy has his arms FULLY OUTSTRETCHED and the cops beat the shit out of him:
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/03/birmingham_mayors_office_video.html

[CBGLuthier]

8. A cop laying hands on a citizen for no good damned reason

Yes, that is really that bad. Always.

[demosincebirth]

9. There're only human...with a badge, though. nt.

[Javaman]

5. Probably the 1L bus...

I have stories.

That particular bus line is infamous here in Austin.

All kinds of shit happens on it.

Austin cops, by and large are pretty good, but there are a few frustrated muscle heads that get off on wearing the uniform and carrying the pistol. But I guess that's true just about anywhere.

[tabasco]

10. Sue his dumb ass for every penny he has.

Section 1983 ought to apply.

[ReggieVeggie]

13. misdemeanor, woohoo!!!

:crazy:

[damntexdem]

14. Indicted for assaulting the passenger?

Why, didn't he realize that in Texas laughing at a state trooper is a capital offense?

;-)