Man accuses HPD officer of fracturing eye socket

[MrScorpio]

By JAMES PINKERTON
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
July 21, 2010, 9:34PM



A Houston machinist claims a city police officer fractured his eye socket by hitting him five times with a heavy metal flashlight after he was handcuffed in the driveway of his parent's home.

Steven D. Rossi, 37, admits he panicked and ran when police officers attempted to pull him over as he drove home after having five drinks at a local restaurant about 2 a.m. April 1.

The Houston Police Department internal affairs division is investigating, and Rossi has filed a civil rights complaint with the FBI.

Rossi said he was holding a laptop in his hands after he got out of his car when the arresting officer hit him with a flashlight, knocking him to the ground.

He says the officer hit him five more times after he was handcuffed, as two other officers held him.

"I thought to myself, 'Oh crap, he's going to kill me,' “ Rossi said Wednesday.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7118973.html

[TexasObserver]

1. Cops now beat citizens they have cuffed.

Not as an exception, but as the rule. If they have to chase you down, they're going to beat and kick you AFTER they have you cuffed and completely unable to protect your body.

This is a direct result of our practices in Iraq and Afghanistan - the manner in which our soldiers handle apprehended persons. This is how we now treat our citizens, and if you don't like it, they'll beat you, too.