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Friday, September 16, 2005

Lanett Police Accused Of Brutality

WTVM, GA

Lanett, AL - Witnesses at The Breaker Box club in Lanett say police showed up and got physical this past Saturday night. News Leader 9 has been given an amateur video of the incident at a Christian heavy metal concert.

According to witnesses, a teenager was calling home to get a ride when police threw him into a light pole and then onto the ground.

"I saw two Lanett police officers. One of them grabbed a young black male, head-locked him, ran him into this pole, slammed him to the ground, put their knee in his back and cuffed him," said John Keith.

That's when the lead singer of "Only After Faith" grabbed his video camera.

"A blow to the back of the head, and a couple of knees to the back. They finally got a little 13 or 15-year-old boy in the car," said Adrian Buice.

The video apparently shows the boy, without handcuffs, refusing to get into the car. The officer uses his nightstick to force him into the back seat.

According to police, they cannot comment on the case until an independent investigator looks into the incident.

"When his investigation is complete, if there's a violation of policy or law, then we'll take steps to address the situation at that time," said Chief Ron Docimo, Lanett Police Department.

Witnesses say people were being pulled from their cars by the officers after trying to leave the club. Keep in mind, we haven't heard the police side of this story yet.

News Leader 9 asked Docimo if this was standard procedure, if the officers have been suspended, or if police cameras show anything different. He said he is not allowed to comment until after an investigation has been conducted.

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