Southern California Sheriff’s deputies have been caught on tape beating a suspect after the suspect who led them on a wild police chase through the desert. Even more incredible: the suspect stole a horse and rode it some distance before falling off, thus ending the chase.
And since the horse was alive and unharmed, the cops beat the next best thing — ?the suspect.
Suspect John McMahon is?suspected of identity theft. When the Sheriff’s department went to serve him a warrant,?it’s unclear if McMahon?made the challenge that he could beat them all lying face down with his hands behind his back. But apparently the officers felt that he made this challenge in some indirect manner because they proceeded to literally kick and beat this surrendering suspect like nobody’s business.
The footage was captured from a news helicopter following the chase. It’s unclear if officers knew the chopper was watching them, which raises some very disturbing questions as well. If the officers didn’t know and thought they were alone in the desert, that’s disturbing. But if they did know and simply did not care, that’s something Americans need to think about in equal measure.
The Sheriff’s department reported that McMahon was sent to the hospital to be treated for ?unknown injuries.” Meanwhile they reported that at least two?officers on the scene had to be treated for dehydration. Police Brutality — must be some thirsty work.
Here is the video from the Young Turks. Be warned: it’s pretty disturbing.
