In 2013, when he was just 20, Dontrell Stephens was riding his bike and talking on his phone when a Florida sheriff’s deputy shot him and paralyzed him for life. The Deputy’s story claimed one thing and he was cleared, however, Dashcam footage has proven that it was all a lie and now Stephens has sued the department. It’s being reported that a judge has ordered that Deputy Adams Lin has all his possessions seized to pay back Stephens.
Russia Today (via FreeThoughProject src) wrote:
Stephens was shot in the left hand, twice in the elbow and once in the chest, according to the lawsuit filed by attorney Jack Scarola. He was in possession of marijuana, but was otherwise unarmed.
Stephens was left paralyzed from the waist down.
PBSO Sheriff Ric Bradshaw defended Lin. Both are named in the lawsuit, which Scarola filed on Stephens’ behalf.
“If they don’t (comply) and they have something in their hands and they’re going to make a move towards the deputy, they’re going to defend themselves,” Bradshaw told reporters the day of the shooting, according to the Palm Beach Post.
“Stop what you’re doing and comply with us,” he added. “There’s nothing in the rules of engagement that says we have to put our lives in jeopardy to wait and find out what this is and get killed.”
An internal investigation cleared Lin of wrongdoing after four days, calling the shooting justified.
But Scarola told WPTV he discovered issues with the deputy’s statements after requesting and viewing all the video and audio recordings from the incident.
“There are no records of any commands ever made to Dontrell Stephens,” he said. “The deputy’s recorded statements following the shooting were absolutely false. Internal affairs completely ignored that evidence.”
Lin was on patrol as part of a community policing initiative in the area, which is known for drug deals, prostitution and shootings, according to the Palm Beach Post.
Moments after the dash-cam video begins, Stephens realizes he’s being followed. He pulls over, gets off his bike with the cell phone in his right hand and walks toward the deputy. He disappears for four seconds.
When he reappears, he is in the process of being shot four times by Lin.
In January the Palm Beach Post wrote, in relation to a $22.4 million settlement:
This month, Scarola had Lin’s personal belongings seized in an effort to force Bradshaw’s hand. A federal magistrate, who signed the order allowing Lin’s furniture, clothes, TV, and heavily-mortgaged cars to be seized by federal marshals, later ruled that because his belongings were worth less than $5,000 they had to be returned. Scarola also unsuccessfully tried to garnish Lin’s wages.
Unfortunately, Stephens was also charged on 3 drug charges and was given 9months in jail. However, he was approved for house arrest and won’t spend any significant time behind bars.
Watch the Dashcam footage below:
I think all white cops are less than dog shit because their too scared to be real men and carry out the duty of protect-an-serve depending on the color of your skin.