St. Albans police officer faces another brutality charge

[MrScorpio]

St. Albans police officer faces another brutality charge


Courtesy photo
James A. Pauley Jr. says he was beaten with a flashlight by St. Albans police officer Brandon Tagayun. The photos were taken by his family shortly after the alleged incident.

By Andrew Clevenger

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the second time since he joined the department in 2008, a St. Albans police officer has been accused of using excessive force while subduing a suspect.

James Allen "J.J." Pauley Jr., 20, of St. Albans, says Brandon Tagayun struck him repeatedly with a Maglite flashlight while he was lying on his stomach during an incident on May 16.

In an interview with the Gazette-Mail, Pauley said he and a friend were standing on Oliver Street in Amandaville, having just been dropped off, when a large man drove up in a gray S10 truck.

The man got out, accused them of throwing rocks at his truck, and said, "Somebody's ass is going to get shot," Pauley said.

Pauley said he and his friend took off running. "Down there, you know not to play games," he said.

The two split up, Pauley said, and he ran through alleys and over fences before hiding behind some bushes. He said he had no idea that the police were involved until he heard a voice say, "Get the hell out of the bushes, or your ass is getting tased."

As he crawled out, he said Tagayun told him to lie down on the ground and put his hands behind his back, which he said he did.

Without warning, Pauley said, Tagayun hit him on the temple with the butt of his flashlight. During the beating that followed, Tagayun hit him repeatedly about the head and back, breaking his nose, according to Pauley.

"He never used his fist at all. It was nothing but the light," Pauley said. "When I told him to stop, he said, 'Shut up, bitch, or you're going to get some more.'"

http://wvgazette.com/News/201007160732