Officer Faces Assault Charges for Police Brutality that Led to Death of Patient
Deputy Michael Lewelling, 33, was arrested on Friday on charges related to a dire incident of police brutality, including assault, perjury, filing a false police report, filing a false instrument, and four felony charges.
The arrest was related to a police brutality incident that occurred in November 2014. The victim was a patient who walked with a cane, staying at the hospital. Lewelling’s police report stated that the patient attempted to assault him with a wooden cane, when Lewelling arrested him for attempted assault of a police officer. However, an investigation conducted by the newly-formed Criminal Investigations Unit, examined surveillance footage and found the report to be inaccurate.
The actual incident was unwarranted police brutality. The victim in the video is waiting for a doctor’s appointment, and at the beginning of the film is asleep in an arm chair in the emergency room. Lewelling approached the victim and seemingly attempted to start a conversation, at which point the victim stood up slowly, using his cane for assistance, and walked toward the exit. At that point, Lewelling grabbed the victim by the back of his collar and pulled, then began to choke the man. After choking the victim for a period of time, he placed the man under arrest.
The victim was released from jail shortly after his arrest. Prosecutors say that it is obvious from the video that the incident was unwarranted police brutality – the victim did nothing to provoke the officer.
“The fact that a Sheriff’s Deputy allegedly battered a patient at San Francisco General Hospital is unnerving,” San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. “What’s worse is that he’s also alleged to have perjured himself on a police report, unforgivable conduct that led to the arrest of the innocent victim.”
Lewelling has been arrested for the police brutality and suspended from the department without pay.
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