Jonathan Turley:
A disturbing lawsuit has been filed against the Baltimore County
Police Department by Linda Johnson over the death of her husband,
Architect Carl D. Johnson on May 27, 2010. Johnson was pepper sprayed,
tasered, and beaten before his death on the way home from Bible study
class.
Linda Johnson is suing the Maryland
State Police, Baltimore County Police, individual commanders and six
officers. Her lawsuit claims that her husband suffered a diabetic
attack after calling a friend and crashing on I-795. First to the scene
was State Trooper Davon Parker who pepper sprayed Johnson after he
lowered his window of his car, which had crashed into the median. When
Johnson got out of the car, Parker clubbed him on the knee and then
allegedly another officer (Loss) clubbed him. When Baltimore County
Police Officer Nicholas Wolferman arrived, he also allegedly beat
Johnson. Three more officers arrived and one, Baltimore County Officer
Andrew O’Neill tasered Johnson twice. Officer Loss then allegedly
punched him in the face. Eight more officers then arrived — leaving one
wondering if there were any officers left at headquarters. The
complaint states that “there were approximately 52 individuals that
responded to the scene.”
We have been following cases involving the use of tasers and
excessive force by police. However, Baltimore has been cited as a
standout jurisdiction in the use of tasers — leading to calls for investigation.
Johnson was only 48 and lives behind his wife of 27 years. Their
son, Darren Johnson, predeceased his parents and Linda has now lost her
husband.
Source: Courthouse
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