[Applause] SC time. >> Yes. >> See, and that's what it is. You think you got a feeling and you can and that's how people get that's how law people get in lawsuits because you have a feeling. >> The goal is to film whatever we can see. >> We're retired. We like going around filming. >> It's perfectly legal what we do. >> It ain't legal what you did, though. Today we're talking about times lawyers destroyed powertripping cops. And these aren't just minor slip-ups. These are jaw-dropping cases of officers who thought they could play above the rules only to face smart, determined citizens who weren't afraid to fight back and expose the truth. Let's get started. >> I was in my room. I heard the gunshot cuz I was by my window trying to clean up my my room and that's when I heard the boom boom. >> Did you look out the window? Did you hear? This case was disturbing because a cop literally created a fake case to lock up an innocent man. What happened was that the police received a call about a shooting in which Taiisha Love, the wife of Maris Parish, was injured. Detective Ashley Wood arrived at the scene, but instead of investigating the case, she started making up events. Soon, it would become clear just how dangerous police officers could be. >> Hurting. It's not right now. It's not. It just when I do too much, it gives it's a little pressure, but >> Okay. Well, hey, my name's Detective Wood. Okay. I know you haven't met me. Okay. Um, I need to talk to you and I know you're cleaning out your car. Um, but I kind of need to talk to you for a minute. Is there Can we Because I know you got your kids in the car. Do >> you I mean, if you want to step out and we can talk over here for a minute, that's fine. It ain't going to take but a few minutes. Okay. >> Is that all right? >> That's fine. >> Okay. How's your arm doing? >> It's all right. It's sore. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry that happened to you, sweetie. >> How long you got to keep that on? >> They started Well, I'm not showing that. It's like this part is her. >> Instead of immediately and accurately documenting the evidence from the shooting, they started a friendly chat. A nice show for the camera. But in real law and professional ethics, this is called interfering with the collection of direct evidence. And soon you're going to see how far Detective Wood was willing to go. Believe me, things were about to get much worse. >> Yeah, >> this is the deepest. So they >> did it go through and through. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. This part might have in three days and this one might >> I promise you it going through and through is the best thing for you cuz it' be a lot sore if the bullet was still in there. Yeah. >> All right. My name is Detective Herbert. >> Oh yeah. Sorry. He walked. >> I see the car. That's I was like I don't I think I was I must have been here before. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah, we did. We came by cuz I didn't want to stay at the house with my kids. >> No, no, we I got you. Just do Even though I know that I know your name. Can you just give it to me one more time? >> Taisha T Y E S H A L L O V E. >> So, I don't want to take up too much of your time because you got your kids in your car. Okay. Um, quickly just kind of go over with me what happened the other day when this happened. >> Um, well, it was a little >> Taiisha gave them basic information and the detective confirmed what she already knew if they already had details from previous reports. Why were they using them just to fill out paperwork instead of protecting the victim? Now, listen to the story Taiisha had to tell. Listen carefully because you might be surprised to find out that the later report said something completely different. >> Little altercation or whatever between him, between her and her baby daddy, but he like I told the other he he left. So, and then we when he got into it, him and Maris got into it, but it was over the arguments like he didn't want all that in his house. So him and Maris got into it because he >> bride got into it. >> No, it was over. It was over because um them two got into it and then he was he was mad. He was just saying like, "Okay, y'all don't argue in my house cuz that's we have neighbors and that's going to make the complaints, right?" >> And they got into it, but it wasn't >> Maris wasn't mad. He was just on some like just respect my house, >> right? So that's understandable, of course. >> Yeah. So that's what that was. And they had I know they had they had words, but that was >> She talked about an argument between her friend and her friend's partner, Scooter, which escalated. The police treated it as a small dispute, ignoring the obvious risk of armed violence. The law required them to recognize patterns of violence and take protective measures. But in the Savannah PD, patterns of violence were just convenient material for patting charges whenever they needed a suspect. How close are Maris and Miss Bride's baby daddy? >> They're cousins. >> They're cousins. Okay. >> Are they I mean, are they together a lot? Are they >> So, like, say the last week, how many times do you think they were together last week? >> Um, almost every day. >> Almost every day. So, Monday, Monday through to today, they've been together pretty much every day up until when the shooting happened. Mhm. >> Do you remember anything different about any of those days? >> As far as >> like were there any was uh her baby daddy showing up in any new vehicles? Um >> no. >> No. >> When he needs a ride, how does does he get to borrow you guys' cars? How does he normally get around? >> No. My my h like he'll drop him off or pick him up, but other than that, that's it. Just >> the questions revolved around how much time Scooter and her husband Maris spent together as if the number of coffee meetups could solve a shooting. To me, it seemed like they were just looking for details that would fit their story better, not the ones that would lead them to the truth. And soon you'd see that this feeling wasn't unfounded. >> I know he he probably has other riots, too. >> Just to be clear, I'm sorry. Miss Bride's baby daddy, what's his name? >> Scooter. >> Scooter. Do you know what his real name is? >> You just know him Scooter. Can you describe him to me? >> Um, he's black and skinny. >> Have any any like distinctive tattoos or anything like that? >> Um, I'm not going to know. I need to ask her. >> Okay, we will. We will. >> We will. Um, so your husband Maris and Scooter are pretty much together every day. >> Um, does your husband work? Does Maris work? Yeah, he does carpentry and he does um like cleans people yards and stuff like that. >> Okay. When does he do that? Like primarily during the day. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So like what like 7 or 8 to 4 or 5 or >> Well, right now he has one client that he's doing, but like he cuz he did her back patio. So it's like >> the investigator asked about Scooter's transportation and where he was staying. Okay. It seemed obvious that everything was pointing towards Scooter, that he was probably the one who fired the shots, and that the investigation would now focus on proving he was the bad guy here. Well, wrong. The police would choose a completely different person as the suspect and wait for that part because it's going to shock you >> rangely. Like some some days she'll want him to come and then some days she don't want him to come because her appointments. >> Okay. >> So, that's how it is. >> Okay. Um, and the car that you're in, that's the car that Maris typically drives. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, I know that that he said that uh Scooter comes like stays with you guys like off and on or whatever. Um, do you know where else Scooter stays? >> No. >> Honestly, we don't. >> What other What about other friends? >> Um, I don't know about friends. It's more of a like I really met him last year so I don't really know. See, they knew each other but he was in jail type and he got all involved. So that's how I >> Were they in jail together? >> No. >> Okay. >> His cousin was in jail, >> right? Okay. >> And so when he got out, they kind of linked up and like >> they asked about the relationships between the people involved but offered the witness no protection. A victim has the right to not be exposed to threats or intimidation, especially when she knows the attacker's identity. And what did the SPD do? Nothing. Looking through the lens of the Ashley Wood case, it seems she was only searching for a way to shape this story to fit herself and her ego because I can't think of any other way to explain what happened next. >> But that's what that was the first time I met him back then. So, I don't really know his like friends and close friends and all that. Does does Maris usually stay with you every night? >> Yeah, stays home. We stay together. >> Okay. >> Um, did he for any reason was he did he get up and leave at any point in time this last week? >> Oh, no. >> Late or anything like that? You think? >> No, he know I don't allow that. >> Okay. >> The the doors is closed at 12:00. >> Okay. >> Doors closed at 12:00. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, um, what's today? Today's Sunday, right? >> Today is Sunday. >> Okay. So, Monday, um, were Maris and Scooter at the house? >> The Monday. Um, >> this Yeah, this past Monday. >> Last week, May the 26th. >> Um, yeah, Maris was here. Scooter wasn't here. >> Scooter wasn't here. >> No, Maris was here. >> Did Maris and Scooter ever get together at all at any point in time that you're aware of? >> No, Maris was home with me. The only time was >> they asked questions about where people had been on certain days, but without relying on any objective evidence, such as GPS, surveillance, or phone logs. Typical for the SPD. If they had checked, they might have discovered that their story was falling apart, just like Wood's version of events collapsed many months after this recording was made. But more on that soon. >> Only time we did leave is when we went to Parkers to get something to drink and came right back home. >> Did Maris work Monday? cuz he been going there. He was been going there. So >> you good. >> Would it help you look at a calendar to figure out which day we were talking about? >> Yeah. >> Here I got one or one of us has one >> cuz he goes he goes there like I can't cuz sometime he goes and then she'll tell him don't come today and come back tomorrow. So last Monday would have been the 26th of April. >> Okay, >> um >> see this initial month. >> There we go. All right, so this was last Monday right here. >> Okay, this is today. >> The discussion about going to the Parker store became a key point of questioning. Was it really realistic to think that the time someone bought a soda would solve a shooting? Or was it the real goal just to fill the report with irrelevant details while ignoring the fact that the suspect was freely walking around armed? >> I could look at my phone and see if he was cuz I know when he at work, he calls and video chat with me while he working sometimes. >> Okay. >> So, I couldn't do that. >> That's fine. Okay. And what date is Monday? >> Monday the 26th. >> 26th. How about Sunday? Were they any other Sunday? >> Sunday? Well, like I'm I'm not trying to be confusing, but they they be together almost every day. So, that's why I said I can't really It's not >> Let me let me ask Have you seen any Have you seen um Scooter? >> The question about a red vehicle was dismissed without any checking. In a serious investigation, every potential link to a vehicle is used to locate the suspect. here. However, they clearly didn't want to verify it because the result might not support the version of events they had been slowly building in their heads. They were protecting their story and not the truth. >> Or have you seen Maris in a red vehicle at all this last week? >> No. >> No. >> No. >> Did Maris talk about a red vehicle or going to going to do anything about a red vehicle or give someone a ride to go get a vehicle or anything? >> No. >> No. >> No. Not that I know of. No. >> Okay. Um, so Monday >> you said that Maris was at home before midnight. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We went to the store. We went to Parker's room. What time it was? >> I don't know. >> Which Parker? >> Right here. This the one we go to. >> The one right there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, we always go there for like a late night, a late night snack or something. So, we always go the Parkers right there. >> What time on Monday morning did uh Maris leave the house? Um, >> I'm not sure. >> Early. >> They kept circling around when Marque was at home. So, as you might already guess, these officers were slowly shifting their focus from Scooter to Marquee, who definitely hadn't fired the shots. And if you think their job was simply to clear suspicions, well, get ready for the biggest shock yet. What they did next was beyond belief. >> I can say sometimes he No, he don't leave early. It be like around let me see like sometimes 9 if he wake up early and then I say around 10ish to 11ish. >> Okay. >> If you kind of Yeah. >> When But you said Monday when he he was at home. >> Do you know what time he got home Monday? >> Um I don't know what time he got here but it wasn't late. It was early. Like it wasn't no time I would have been fussing at him for >> Okay. What about Sunday night? The night before >> um Sunday. [Applause] Someday. I'm not sure if it's Sunday. Okay. >> I can't lie to you. I'm not sure. >> Okay. >> But he was he was home. He was home. >> Okay. Um [Applause] >> do you know who shot this? >> Taiisha showed nervousness when they asked her who fired the shots. Instead of explaining her rights and offering protection, they pushed her toward an answer. Just say the nickname. This was classic pressure questioning, the kind that can destroy the credibility of testimony in court. And of course, it never occurred to them that she hadn't seen it and didn't want to accuse anyone, unlike these officers. >> Shot at you guys. Do you know who shot at you? >> That deep sigh means yes. Just so you know, >> it does. >> I mean, >> it's okay. I know. We'll come off this way, >> sweetheart. Look, we're not asking you to snitch on nobody or anything like that, okay? We're asking >> We just don't want anybody else to get hurt. >> And we're trying to make sure your kids don't get hurt. >> Yeah. That's my That's my main concern. That's why >> And that's why we want to know who shot you. And we know you know, sweetheart. Just tell me his nickname. That's all you got to do. >> She can't hear you. >> She said the nickname SC and they immediately asked if her husband had told her to stay quiet. Okay, whatever that was about, it wasn't their concern. Now they had a name and all they needed to do was thoroughly investigate Scooter. Right? Wrong again. These officers were about to give you the most unpleasant surprise because soon you'd realize that this admission meant nothing at all. >> They didn't want to. >> Yes. >> Did Maris not want you to tell anybody? >> Why don't you guys want Why didn't you tell that to the police? You guys scared of scooter? >> I mean, I I just my kids like might be my kids. >> Right. You got to worry about >> We got to make sure that nobody ever shoots up your house with your kids inside of it again. We can't do that without your help, sweetie. >> So, why don't we do this? Okay, dude. >> I'll go talk to her. Talk to her. So, he's going to keep her busy for a minute. Okay. >> Um, did you did you see Scooter shoot at you? Taiisha admitted she hadn't seen the shooting, but she knew because of the argument. Instead of treating that as just a lead and starting a search for physical evidence, they accepted it as confirmation of the suspect's identity. This was the same logic that led Wood to make the biggest mistake of her life, one she would probably wish she could undo. No, I didn't see but >> I know. >> Well, tell me how you know because of the argument. Because of Is that what it is? >> That was who else? >> Right. So, what was the argument over? >> It was like it was I like it was over stuff. If you want to if you want to walk to the side of the building so nobody can hear you like by this AC we can do that cuz he's talking to her so he's keeping her busy. Okay. >> What what happened was like it they got into it was because he felt like she was cheating on him or something. I don't know but he it's like he was kind of starting problems with her and they was arguing. >> So Scooter was starting problems with her. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And it was arguing. I say monkeys. >> It was honestly frustrating how these detectives kept steering the story towards some other target even though the woman had clearly told them who she suspected. They acted as if they knew the situation better than someone who was actually there. First, they asked for a name and then they acted like she meant nothing because she hadn't seen it happen. Well, they knew that from the very start, didn't they? >> Was on some like, okay, this is my household. Like, y'all know y'all can't do that. Y'all get us kicked out, >> right? So that's what happened with that. It kind of escalated between him and her with the the noise. So that's when my kids like, "Okay, well everybody got to get out. Everybody got to just go outside." So they was on the porch and he locked the door and I guess he got mad because he locked the door. >> You're saying Scooter got mad because Maris locked the door. So when Maris and Scooter got into it, was it just like a verbal altercation and >> then he left? >> And then he left. Have you seen Scooter with Did you see Scooter with a gun that day? >> You did. What kind of gun? >> I don't I don't >> Describe it to me. Just describe it to me. >> Was it black? Silver. >> Was it a big gun? Was it a small gun? >> I could say yes, medium. >> Taisha described the gun black, medium-sized, and carried in a pocket. The officer asked for details, but this didn't lead to precise forensic documentation. Even now, the focus was on Scooter and the gun that had been seen with him. So, let me repeat that one more time. With him, because apparently that was very hard for the officers to grasp. >> Medium. Okay. So, some guns have like a round cylinder in them. Did it have a round cylinder or did it have like a slide like this? >> I don't know. >> Okay. I promise you, but that's what history. >> So, do you know if it was So, you see how my magazine is? >> What? Did it have like a really long magazine on it or did it have a short magazine on it? >> No, it >> it was like this. Okay. Um, but you said it was black. >> Okay. >> Where did he have it at that you saw it in his on his side? Was it in his waistband or in his pocket? >> Pocket. >> Pocket. Okay. Um, did Maris know you had that gun? >> I don't know that. I don't know. >> I'm not trying to get Maris in trouble. I just need >> I'm just saying I don't know. >> Like I'm not trying to hear nobody up. I'm I'm not trying to nobody up, but I just need to know. >> I don't know. I honestly know. >> The conversation returned to to the shooting timeline. Kaisha clarified that the shooting happened the next morning at dawn after Scooter had left. This was a key distinction that changed the story. But in Ashley Wood's report, the police left out these details. Instead of the correct chronology, the official document said she saw him firing the gun. And that wasn't the only thing she changed. >> Um, does Maris own a firearm? >> No. >> No, >> he doesn't. >> Okay. Um, so you said that Scooter walks away. >> Mhm. >> And then how long later till you heard gunshots? >> It was all that happened wrong. 3 something. And then when I was in my room, I heard the gunshot cuz I was by my window trying to clean up my my room. And that's when I heard a minute. >> Did you look out the window? Did you hear you fell? Yeah. >> Did Did you see anybody walking up before you heard the gunshots? Did you hear any? No, >> it was around that happened around 7 a.m. It was the day. It was sunlight coming up. >> So, it happened the next day. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so I'm just making sure I got it straight. So they they get into an argument. Maris kind of tells them they got to get calm down, >> right? But then they keep arguing. He's like, "Y'all got to get the out because y'all ain't about to get me and my family kicked out." Which is completely understandable. So we shut and locked the door. Obviously Scooter doesn't have a key. >> So that was that not the day that you got shot, but the day before. >> So they left, >> right? Well, she she stayed, right? But Scooter left. Um that morning, did Marisa, you get a phone call from Scooter? Did she get a phone call from Scooter? >> Arguing >> on the phone? >> Yeah. >> So, they was arguing back and forth on the phone. >> The investigator tried to get a statement about the threats. Kaiisha described Scooter's offensive and intimidating comments, including possible hints of violence. Instead of recording this accurately as a criminal threat, they downplayed it by saying, "That's just slang." Wait, what? I mean, did this detective know Scooter or what was going on here? Because whatever it was, it wasn't normal. >> Okay. >> Uh, did my did Scooter threaten either one of you or her at any point? >> Yeah. >> What he said? >> I mean, it was just like, oh, well, I do this and that and that and that. Like, >> well, what is this, that, and that, and that? >> Um, he was it's not basically a threat, but he was just saying like, you kids, you know, um, I don't give a like, I don't care about nobody. and stuff like that. >> Did at any point did he say that he was going to harm you or her or the kids or anybody like that? >> I think yes, I think so. >> What do you remember? What about he said? >> Um he said I I spank it up or something in that nature. >> Okay. >> So he's using like slang stuff basically. Okay. Um have you or her talked to Scooter since then? >> I haven't. You know it. Well, yeah. Of course I have no money. >> Okay. Um All right. So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to give you my card. Okay. Um are you coming back here? Are you leaving here? Where are you staying at? Where are you laying your head at right now? >> I'm at the mom's house >> over off Champion. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, just so you know, I went there, too. >> Okay. >> Okay. But nobody answered the door. So, I left a card in the door. Okay. So, meet up with them. >> All right. I'm just telling you. So, there's a card in there. So they asked >> the officer moved on to logistics where Taiisha was staying leaving business cards. At first glance it seemed routine but given the history of the case which you'll soon learn about such contact could also serve as a form of informal pressure. If a witness feels unsafe, it changes the quality and credibility of their testimony. And that's exactly what was about to happen. >> You about it? That was me. I'm about to give you my card, too. Okay. It has my cell phone number on it. Okay. Um I want you to call me if you get a phone. Do you have Scooter's number? Does he have a phone? >> I don't have his number. >> Does she have his number? >> Okay. Um, the other thing, one more question. What time do you do you think you went to Parker? You said you usually go late. Like is it before midnight? Like >> after? It's like early early morning. Like >> 2 3 4. It just depends on what time we trying to like sometime we used to go every morning to get coffee that early and just sit down and chill, play the games and then but usually we get snacks. So like I say 2ish 3ish between that 4ish between >> well that are you talking that would have been Monday morning you said? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. >> Going basically going into Tuesday night. >> Okay. I got you. I got you. Um All right. What am I? The conversation shifted to the time of going to the Parker store down to the exact hours. Instead of immediately confirming this alibi through surveillance footage, they recorded only her subjective memory. Detective Wood had planned this part in advance and didn't care about a single word here. And that's exactly why later in her report, she fabricated that it was actually Marquee who fired the shot. Yes, the husband who had actually sent Scooter away. >> What I'm going to do is I'm going to give you my card. Like I said, it's got my cell phone number on on the bottom of it. Okay. Which is this cell phone here. I usually answer it all the time. If you want to text me, you can text me. Okay. >> I know you don't feel real comfortable at the moment talking if there is a way that maybe I know you got kids, right? I don't know if if Marisa's mom or I don't know what health or how they what their daily operations are, but if there was a way that maybe they could watch them for like an hour may tops an hour tops and maybe I could get you to come to headquarters so we can actually sit down and this way nobody else is around. You don't have to worry about nobody listening or anything like that if you'd be willing to come to headquarters and maybe we can talk a little bit more in depth about this. >> Okay. Um well, can I give you a call? Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Yeah. Yeah. Cuz I'm not I know you. So, are you guys like good friends or how? Cuz I can tell there's >> After the shooting of Taisha Love, Ashley Wood falsified her statement, claiming she had seen Scooter fire the gun and used the incident to link her husband, Marquee Parish, to the unrelated murder of Charles Vincent. Even without evidence, Wood portrayed him as violent and connected to weapons which justified his arrest. Marqueis spent almost 2 years in jail before recordings proved his innocence. As for Detective Wood, she was fired and is now awaiting trial. And while we hope she gets the punishment she deserves, this was one of those times where lawyers destroyed powertripping cops. Now, let's talk about the officers who felt offended because a man was filming in public. Speaking of times lawyers destroyed powertripping cops, let's turn our attention to this man who was filming people in public. Now, as uncomfortable as that might be for some, it was his constitutional right. However, someone among them called the police. Now, you'd expect the officers to simply explain that it was his right to record, but no. They decided to use the opportunity to show up and boost their tiny, fragile egos. >> Yes, >> I can read you. >> Whoa. What did you say? Assault. >> Yes, sir. That's what I'm saying. So, that's what we alleged. That's That's totally false. But >> what are you doing? >> What do you mean what are we doing? What does it look like we're doing? >> It's a simple question. >> A simple answer. Simple answer. >> What are you doing? >> What do you look like we're doing? >> Okay. Let me see some IDs. I got a bill report for the You know, you're not going to get no ID for no damage. >> The allegation is assault. You'll give me >> assault. You have to prove out ID. >> You got to find out if we did the >> assault first, right? You got to investigating assault. You have to give me your identification or identify you. >> You have to investigate the assault and see if >> we know about the you have to give identification if the allegation assault. >> We need a supervisor. I need to see your supervisor. >> I'll give But you're going to give me an ID. >> No, I'm not. >> You wait. You wait here and watch out and see if I do. >> The officer approached and immediately demanded ID over an alleged assault report. Instead of first determining whether an assault had actually happened, he started at the end with forced identification. In the United States, except in states with stop and identify laws, police have no right to demand ID without reasonable suspicion. Here, everything was upside down and it was only going to get worse from here. It's important. Can I get the supervisor? Got no crime. That's the >> We at Chipotle. >> What's the definition of an assault? If you aggressively approach somebody and they feel like they're going to get assaulted, that's the definition of assault in North Carolina. I need to see your identification. I need to see your identification >> is if something you make someone do something other than what they would normally do. >> I'm not going to argue long. It doesn't matter what you used to be. You're incorrect in your assessment of the law. I need you to provide your identification. >> All we've been doing is walking down the walking the sidewalk field. That's all we've got several calls now >> because they don't like it. That's why they don't like being recorded. >> Doesn't matter being recorded, sir. >> They told me I've got two calls now. >> We got it on video. >> And this lady just approached us. Then show me. >> I got video of a man knocking my phone out of my hand about an hour ago. >> Okay. If you got that close to the person, that's that could be standing still. They walked up to me. >> The citizen explained that he was just walking and filming on a public sidewalk, which is perfectly legal. The officer admitted they had received a few calls, meaning the real reason for their intervention was simply that someone didn't like the camera. The right to film in public is protected by the First Amendment. And someone doesn't like it is never a valid reason for police to demand identification. >> Yes. Yes. He approached a person and he assaulted that person. >> No, he was assaulted. He was >> Are you going to escape that? >> Yeah. We got his tag number, too. I understand that. Hey, that's one of the pictures. Well, then >> we're going to go to >> Give me your identification. I'll take a report for you now. >> No, we're going to match it because you won't do nothing >> if you give me your identification. >> The citizen reported that an hour earlier, someone had knocked the phone out of his hand, which is indeed a physical assault. Yet, the officer shifted the focus to an alleged complaint against him, ignoring his own report. The officer explained that to write a report, he needed to know the citizen's identity. The problem? Well, without a basis to believe the citizen had committed an assault, the demand for identification was premature. >> For an assault, if you're if you're alleging that you were a victim of assault, you can show me that you were assaulted. >> He was I I'll file the report and I go, "Okay." >> Okay. >> That same person called us and is alleged that you assaulted them. >> I told him okay. Well, then show me the video and I'll be happy to file the report for you. >> Show me the video. Please record me on here. Show me the video on yours. >> Okay. Well, I'm recording you on mine, too. Where's I need to supervise. >> Yeah, he's on his way. But if you want to file a report for an assault, I can absolutely do that for you. But you're not cooperating with that cuz that's not what you want to do. You just want to film. >> We haven't done anything. >> We didn't do nothing. >> Okay. >> Not at all. >> That person that you said slapped your phone out your hand, he called >> and his wife called. >> This individual is flagging me down and saying that you're being you're aggressively approaching people. You cannot do that. >> Man, I ain't going out to nobody. What kind of evidence do they have? >> Jesus Christ, dude. All we sitting here, we walking on this sidewalk film. That's all we do. That's it. >> And that and you can feel from the sidewalk. That's fine. But you can't get in people's face. You can't approach cuz that is by definition. >> Show me evidence of that. >> The officer kept insisting that he had aggressively approached someone even though he admitted he hadn't seen the footage. This was a pre-made judgment. A classic swap of the presumption of innocence for the presumption of guilt. The citizen rightly asked them to show proof, but the police had none, which only confirmed that the demand for ID was baseless. And still, they kept pushing. >> And there's none because we didn't do it. >> Right. The allegation is made. If I even make a report, I make a report and I have to identify you. Do you understand that? >> To see if it's really suffering from scophobia. I >> I don't know what the hell that is. >> I need identification >> from you guys. One for your assault that you're alleging. Two, for the assault that against you guys. I haven't done anything. >> No assault, man. >> Okay. And then that's fine. Y'all got video evidence. We can address it now. >> Talk to anybody. >> But the allegation was made, so I have to do my job. >> Right. Absolutely. >> So that investigation includes identifying you guys. Absolutely. >> How do you know? I have some >> fault. Yes. >> Because both of you are guys identified. Guy with GoPro, guy with cell phone, guy with tattoos, guy with glasses, and a black shirt. >> I lied. You got their names right. >> Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. >> You can charge them. >> Right. So just >> you promise you'll charge them in >> which I get because you said that there was an assault against you >> I can document this incident but I need to get identification from you >> to document the incident >> if I want to do on >> outside of that there's an allegation that y'all assaulted somebody >> so we have to investigate that and you will provide identification or identify yourself if you don't have identification on you but you will identify yourself >> investigate is what I'm saying >> do you understand what I'm telling I I I hear you. I hear you. >> Do you understand it? >> The officer explained that the alleged complaint was being treated as grounds for demanding ID, which is legally questionable without confirmation that a violation actually occurred. The citizen insisted that an accusation alone does not mean a law was broken. This scene showed how allegation was being wrongly used as a substitute for probable cause. And once again, this officer had more tricks up his sleeve. >> Yeah. The allegation is that you did break law. >> The allegation is not breaking the law. >> No, I got it. I got it. I get that and that's fine. But I got an allegation that's all I got. >> They don't require ID. >> It absolutely does. >> I want Where's your supervisor? >> He's on his way. >> Okay. We'll talk to you. >> So, but in the meantime, you'll have identification. the guy who assaulted him and knocked the camera out, are we going to get his uh identifications? So when we go to magistrate, >> if you show me proof, I can go file charges if it looks like he was assaulted. >> And we'll show you. >> All he has to do is show me. >> We'll show you eventually. >> Yeah, I'll show you. >> All you got to do is show it to me. >> Here. Can you hold that? >> Man, that phone goes >> I got Okay, I'm just >> I got it. That phone goes crazy spinning in the air. I didn't see it. I was in the store. The videos on this phone. >> Yes. I had I got two. Let me see. I got to find two different [Music] not that three different videos must be got to be that. >> The citizen searched through videos on his phone to prove his version of events. This was the moment with the police should have reviewed the evidence impartially. Instead, the officer continued using language that implied guilt, even though the footage showed the citizen standing still. And if you're wondering how far they would go, well, let's just see. >> It's good thing we have cameras, >> right? It's not this one >> to prove it. >> Was it on? >> Is it on that phone or this phone? There it is. Right here. Let me back it up. That's when he did not like the way you're telling him before he approached you. >> I didn't approach. See that? You keep saying I approach. See, that's what's making me mad. You're telling me I approached him. I was standing still. So, who approached who? >> You weren't even looking. >> I mean, really. So, then play that and show >> how the hell I You keep saying I approached somebody. You keep saying it and you're not showing me. >> I'm going to show you. But you keep saying in your mind you already see it. I'll be able to see it. >> In your mind, you thinking you approached him. That's what >> you were facing a different direction, too. >> You keep saying I approached. I didn't move, man. I was stationary. >> The citizen showed that he had been standing still and that the other person had approached him. The officer still said, "Maybe he thought you were being aggressive." Which blurred the fact that the law doesn't punish someone's subjective feelings, only actual behavior. Someone needed to remind this officer that it's called law enforcement, not feeling enforcement. He talk. She was He was talking to a woman. I just took Put the camera over there. Right there. They down here. No, it's not. Hang on. They down. That's them. It kind of zoom. That's them down there. I was probably from here to to Hang on. >> Were you filming before that? >> Yes. I I was I was from here to to her on that right here. I zoomed in right and I unzoomed. They hugged. He walks up to me. Oh, jeez. Let me check the way. >> See, I'm not moving. I'm stationary. He Look, I'm not moving a bit. I didn't move a lick. >> There you go. >> Is there anything? >> That was pretty bad, too. That was really bad. >> That That wasn't bad. He might have thought that was bad. It was bad. See, that's what I'm saying. Complaining about me. >> You want an alleged assault and I can take your information. >> Is that a felony if you had to broke a $2,000 phone? I mean, this luckily I had a good case on it. It didn't It didn't really hurt. >> The officer asked to see a longer portion of the video, but kept changing the criteria, sometimes wanting the whole video, sometimes just a part. This kind of behavior seemed like an attempt to confirm a preconceived version of events rather than to find the full truth. In an investigation, selectively viewing evidence is a serious failure. And here, that failure was on full display. >> It didn't really hurt. So, let's uh >> Can you rewind it? Get in the context of that video. >> That was it, man. I just showed you, >> right? There's there's plenty of film before video. >> Oh, yeah. We just >> Yeah, we just sat there. I mean, >> nobody said anything either. >> Well, I just I >> We didn't talk to nobody. We didn't do nothing. >> Yeah. >> Don't be [ __ ] with the video, Bo. What are you talking? >> I'm trying to find that thing. You stopped it right there and said, "Watch the whole video." That's what you just said. >> All right. Well, you said it's a different video, right? >> That's a different guy. >> Yeah. You were filming a different guy. So I was I was filming everybody trying to find the individual that you said >> it's way down here at the end. You said you wanted to watch the whole thing though and now you're changing to say you just want to watch a few minutes prior. >> My god man supervisor. >> Hey, how are you? >> A supervisor, a sergeant showed up appearing calmer and more willing to hear both sides. However, if you thought this case would be resolved just because the sergeant arrived, you'd be wrong. He might have seemed friendly at first, but soon he would prove that he was no different from his officers. The mask was about to slip. >> He's trying to He's trying to demand ID and we had He's trying to investigate an assault that we never that never happened, right? >> And we ain't broke no law, so we shouldn't have to give him his ID. >> But he's trying to get ID before he does the investigation. You got to do the investigation. >> They didn't get the ID. Well, >> and no, he said I assaulted somebody and I got video that I got assaulted. >> Okay. All right. That's fine. We'll review all of it. >> Yeah, sure. He investigate both sides. We also got over. I understand. My name's Jeff. I don't care if you know my first name. I don't care if you know my last. But but the problem is him coming up the man in freaking ID and there's no crime being broke. >> Okay. Well, we don't know. That's what we're trying to figure out. >> An allegation of assault was made. >> Yeah. You said I I put something you you already said I was guilty cuz you said I put it in his face. I was assaulting people. >> I said that's the allegation that you came up aggressively to the subject. >> Then you kept saying I come up aggressively and you had seen >> Well, that's an allegation. >> The citizen explained that he was filming for a YouTube channel and hadn't interacted with people over the fence. This confirmed that he was engaged in a public peaceful activity protected by the First Amendment. If the police have to ask, "What are you filming?" It's already a sign they don't understand the limits of their authority. Unfortunately, many officers didn't acknowledge this at all. To them, citizens rights existed only to be violated. >> All right. Well, let's figure it out. >> Okay. All right. We figured it out. >> We don't change the fear. >> And a camera in the face is not illegal. >> Well, I mean, I didn't even move, though. >> When you're standing here, they think you're in their face. >> Yeah. Everybody always says, "You got a camera in my face. You got a camera in my face." >> It's just a generic term. I ain't never. This is as far as it gets away from my body. Okay. >> And we always stand on the sidewalk. >> So, what are you guys recording to? >> We're just recording being >> It's beautiful. We haven't been filming. >> It's [ __ ] awesome. >> I mean, that's it. And then a guy walks by me and flips my phone out of my hand. I mean, >> yeah. So, people are definitely testy about >> Well, right. Then there was some right here that said, "Oh, I I don't want you filming me." I'm like, "I don't want >> That's called scopio scophobia." And there's 15% of the population that suffer from it. >> I looked it up. >> It is fair. But they get they get reported everywhere, man. Everywhere you go. >> Yeah. I mean, I traffic corner and all, >> right? Banks. I mean, Walmart. You want to talk to >> No, cuz he don't like to be recorded either. The business, but it ain't nothing illegal about it. And that's why we do it too. I'm used to being the manager never came out or anything over here. There was a couple people that argued that they didn't want to be recorded. >> They were on the other side the fence. >> Yeah, we was right there where the tree was at in the shade. >> So, you just normally come out on nice day. >> That's what we do, man. I got a YouTube channel. I feel the campus. Yeah. >> You know, this >> the conversation became more relaxed. They talked about fishing and everyday things. This was a sharp contrast to the initial aggression of the first officer. This part showed that the conflict could have been avoided from the very start if the approach had been professional and without a presumption of guilt. In fact, no. The police should never have shown up at the scene in the first place to begin with. >> The state thing on there, the mural on the side of the building, all that stuff, people eating, you know, I put the business. >> You go fishing, too? >> Yeah. I put I put the business logo up there on camera, too. Give a little shout out, you know, and put it online. That's what I do. >> Is that like the theme of the channel you have >> or you just kind of do a little everything? So yeah, a little everything for, you know, 3 months. >> I had a little bass fishing one myself. >> Yeah, that's cool. >> We went >> I caught a 40in catfish. >> Yeah, he caught a big ass catfish about two weeks ago. >> Got a tournament in the morning. So >> Oh, yeah. >> I'm hoping they're biting. >> What river? >> The damn water's up too high. >> Random road. >> They ain't going back. Water's too high. >> I was on falls on Monday and we caught some. >> Really? Where the water? >> Yeah. >> I went way up north of 85. I never been up there. >> Oh, right. >> Out of the water. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. We ain't doing nothing wrong, dude. We don't bother no freaking body out here, man. >> I'm just I'm disabled, too. I What am I going to do? >> I can't even hardly walk. That's why we got scooters. >> That's his scooter. My >> scooter. They see something. >> I know. But he come up all aggressive, dude. He shouldn't have done that. But that made me mad cuz we know we know we don't have to prove uh give idea if he had broken any laws. >> You know, if if we're investigating a crime, somebody alleges. The citizen pointed out that he couldn't physically be a threat because he was a person with a disability and used a scooter. Instead of letting that instantly remove any suspicion, the police had shown no interest earlier in the conversation to verify that fact. Yet another sign that the goal was obtaining his ID and not finding the truth. >> We still got to have a crime come in today before we get ID. >> We didn't break no law. >> Yeah. And we don't know that. That's what I'm saying. So when we investigate, we need >> Right. Right. Right. If you find evidence of me doing something wrong, then cool. >> Is this live? >> No. No. That's >> It was live. >> They had like 300 people in it earlier. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. To go live again, though. >> I wonder what record I've broken. I'm sure >> I've seen like 37,000. >> You been on YouTube before? >> Oh, probably. Doing this long enough. I'm sure at some point I have, >> right? I used to be a policeman where >> not Morehead and Cape Carter. >> Why'd you stop? >> I got a job at Cherry Point. >> I was only a cop for a little bit. >> All right. I got >> 37 years with the federal government. >> A civil like a civilian job at Cherry Point >> and Coast Guard six years. for the uh lady down here. She's >> left. She said she >> honestly many of you might say the sergeant did deescalate, but I disagree. I think he just got nervous when he saw the cameras. And I also think he should have taught his officers a lesson instead of letting this slide because that's how we know they'll do the same thing next time. There's no punishment for mistakes. Still, these citizens knew their rights just like the citizens in our next case. This case began with officers approaching a man. If you can't figure out how or why they came up to him, don't worry. It was just as unclear to him. What was clear, however, was that they asked for his ID because the video started with the man refusing. The officers didn't take that well and their ego trip was about to begin. One of those times when a citizen, knowing the law like a lawyer, destroyed powertripping cops. Watch >> what's going on, man. >> Okay, what I'm going to end up doing since you want to play it this way, we're going to tow your vehicle. I'm still going to get your information. >> You can't tow my vehicle, bro. I absolutely can. >> No, you can't. For what? What if it took for what? And I wasn't driving. >> It doesn't matter if you're driving. It does matter. You've got expired plates. They look like they've been altered. The two doesn't look like It looks like it's been changed from a one to a two. >> You're refusing to give me any identification? >> Because I didn't commit a crime, sir. >> Be detained? >> I didn't commit a crime. >> But I'm here on an investigation. >> No one told me you like, "Dude, you you know the law, bro." >> I do know the law. That's >> I did nothing wrong. That's why I refuse to ask you a question cuz I don't have to. >> Well, >> and you know that. >> No, that's not true. >> That is true. That's very true. I didn't just stop. >> That's very true. >> On the street. >> You didn't stop me at all. >> I didn't have to even open the door to answer any of your questions. I didn't have to answer none of your questions. >> Private property. They don't have the first amendment and the right to remain silent are not negotiable items. Asking for someone's identity without reasonable suspicion is fishing, not police work. Why they chose escalation instead of giving a reason? Well, don't worry. We can wonder all we want because some answers we'll never get because certain things only make sense in those minds of officers. >> And I have a roommate. I don't have to prove that to you. >> They said you don't. >> It don't matter what they said. They didn't come and ask me if I was standing there. >> They're the ones that called me. >> And I said they didn't come and ask me. >> They called me. >> You know the law. You didn't offer your You didn't tell your name. You didn't, you know, I didn't have to open this door and I answer your question. I only did it because I thought you was going to be civilized and be like, "All right, he's >> I am being civilized." >> But you're not. You trying to tell me that you can tow my car because I didn't want to give you my name? >> I said 233. I did not say 232. >> Stop talking over me. I told you I could tow your car cuz it don't have legal plates on it. >> But if I'm driving, you know that on this and you know the rules. >> You don't have to be driving it. >> I do have to be driving for you to stop me and tell me that you're going to you can tow my car. >> That's not true at all. >> That's very true. And you know that >> I can tow your vehicle cuz it's not plated legally. >> Man, you know the law. You know the law. You have a good day, sir. I'm done answering questions. [Music] >> The officer claimed the plates were expired and possibly altered, which he said gave him the right to tow. But he hadn't stopped the man in traffic, nor had he proven any tampering. It was just speculation that turned a civilian conversation into a seizure for a private parking lot and a stationary vehicle. The threshold for intervention isn't, "I don't like how it looks." Where were the photos? The verified records? The call to the property manager. >> Damn, there's two of them. Damn, look at all these cops. I ain't answering no door, none of that [ __ ] bro. You know what I'm saying? I'm about to record all this [ __ ] These [ __ ] are one. Hold on. Look at this. One, two, three, four. They didn't pulled up four cops cuz I'm staying at a hotel. Hell no. One, two, three. Oh, it's actually f. One, two, three, four. It's five. Five of them. Cuz I'm standing at the wrong angle. He know. He know damn well ain't got to answer no questions. He know that already. Come on now. Don't try and play stupid, man. Can you not touch my door, sir? And close my door. Can you close my door? >> Hey. So, >> sir, can you close my door, sir? >> Real talk. Real talk. Are are you from Indiana? Like, do you know Indiana law? >> I know the law. Yes, I do. >> You know the law? >> And don't y'all know that I don't have to answer questions? That's what I was trying to tell him. I told him I was waiting on the phone call. My girl, we having an argument. I'm about to go in in a little bit to go to go get some rest. I'm just chilling. >> More patrols arrived. The number grew to four, then five. Five police cars for a man sitting in his own car. The citizen asked them not to touch his door and explained that he was a hotel guest. But the police kept pushing with more questions. Clearly to these officers, a citizen who knows his rights is far worse than the biggest criminal because he's harder to control. >> I ain't did nothing. There's no reason for y'all to have six cars out here, bro. And so I just got here so I don't know what's going on. Are you are you refusing to step out of the car? Just talk to her. >> He never asked none of that. He asked me was I stand. He He asked me what room I told him. He came back and said confirm the wrong room. I told him 23. He said 232. He come back and say you ain't in 232. I said well I ain't answering no more questions, man. >> I'm waiting on my phone call. >> That's why I'm sitting here. I got a phone call in 15 minutes that I'm waiting on. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Well, we work for two different agencies. out here. I I don't know what's up. Um, is there a way you can step out so we can figure this out? >> No. Nope. I'm talking right here for my safety. I got beat up by the police before. >> And I don't want to give my name or nothing. I ain't did nothing wrong. They didn't say I committed no crime. >> Right. I understand. Um, so you don't have to have committed a crime, but if law enforcement asks you out of a vehicle, >> but why though? Why would you just randomly come and say ask me to get in my car? >> So, I don't know what the circumstances of that is. Supreme Court says that I don't need a reason to ask you to step out of the car to talk to me. doesn't mean that you've committed a crime, but you do have to legally step out to talk to me for my safety. That's the law. If you don't, you could go to jail for resisting law enforcement. >> A second officer brought up Mims and claimed he could order the man out even without a crime. That was a misinterpretation. Mims applies during a lawful traffic stop for safety reasons, not as a blank check on a parking lot. Threatening resisting an officer without a lawful basis for the command is a recipe for an unlawful arrest and a lawsuit. I mean >> resisting law enforcement that would be mean I'm getting arrested and I'm resisting not talking to y'all. I'm talking to you right now. We can I can perfectly talk. That would be resistant. Resisting law resisting arrest would mean I would be getting arrested. But resisting to talk to you step out my car is not resisting anything. >> Resisting arrest. I said resisting law enforcement. Not resisting. >> What does that mean? I'm not resisting. I'm talking to you right now. >> If if you're asked to step out of the vehicle even if no criminal activity's taking place, right? Say there's suspicion of criminal activity. I don't know. Doesn't mean that you've committed a crime. Right. >> But if you refuse to step out of the vehicle, you could be charged with resisting law enforcement, which is an arrestable offense. You can go to jail for saying to avoid all of that complication, you step out and help us figure out what's going on. I didn't say you did anything wrong. I just got here. But I'm just trying to keep this as cool as we can and make sure that you're aware of what consequences are and we don't want to have to go there. Not saying that those are consequences for you now. I'm saying those are potential if this continues. You know what I mean? So, I'm trying to keep it so that there are no con. >> Look at all these people recording. But yeah, man. It's all good. I was just I'm waiting on the phone call. Bro, I ain't >> Can you step out so we figure out what's going >> I just want to sit in here like I was? >> I get it. >> And I don't want the officer went on to threaten criminal charges for resisting law enforcement if the man didn't get out, even though the man was calmly speaking through an open door. Resistance is not when you lawfully refuse an unlawful command. And from what they were seeing, it was more than clear these officers thought they were above the law. That anything they spoke instantly became a legal order. >> I just said though, >> I hear what you said. I don't want to step out because I didn't. >> I'm talking I'm waiting on the phone. I'm talking to you comfortably and safely from here. And then and and not only that, it's six of you guys, if not more. >> What room did you say you were in, sir? >> You understand what I'm saying? >> You said 233. >> Are you in 233? >> That's what I'm waiting on the phone call for, bro. >> So, I'm waiting. lying again. There is >> I ain't I never answered your question first off. >> But you see why I want to stay in though cuz he's acting as if >> I committed a crime or something, >> right? So I I think what the issue is here is that because you wouldn't come out and talk. I think that that kind of raises our risk a little bit and that's why >> No, it's it's many of you guys. Y'all got guns. I'm a rage lower. I have no weapon. >> You can you >> guys have weapons and it's multiple. >> You know what would help us lower it? Can you step out of the car? Are we talking about it? doesn't mean we're searching your car. >> I didn't say you were. I'm just means that you're >> I just feel safe and in the car. I mean, this is good enough. You got the door open and you open it without my consent. But >> the the plates aren't legal on this vehicle anyway. It shows that the plates that belong on here expired in 2020. So, it's illegally plated. We're going to tow the vehicle. So, you're going to have to get out. >> So, that's the decision that's being made. >> You can't tow my vehicle, bro. You >> sure can. >> If you didn't pull me over, you know that. Oh, that's >> Now they changed the reason. The plates are illegal. We're towing. Even though they hadn't stopped him or confirmed ownership. If the vehicle might not even be his, how do you justify forcibly taking it? The chain of custody rules and administrative procedures aren't just decoration. I mean, how hard is it to just turn around and leave when you realize you're wrong? >> That's that that's not the case. >> You can't just randomly come in somebody and how you know this even my vehicle. Like, I could be just sitting in here. matter. >> I could have walked right out of there and you can't just come and walk up and say because you don't want to give me your identification or you didn't even ask for it. I don't even know what is this about. What's the purpose of you even walking around my place? >> The typical tyrannical behavior of road pirates. This is exactly what they do best on a daily basis. It's sickening and it's disgusting. >> I have >> You came to ask me if I would stay here. Why are you talking about my license plates? >> But then you lied to me about it. >> It don't matter if I lied. I never said I lied. Who said I lied about anything? >> You did lie. >> I lied about what? >> What room you were staying in that you were staying in? >> I didn't I didn't lie about nothing. >> So, what room are you staying? >> I didn't lie about anything. And I don't have to tell you that. That's not the case here. I'm not here causing a problem. I'm not here. They said they called you because they thought I wasn't standing here. They talked to me four or five hours ago before check-in time. It's It's not against the law for me to sit in a vehicle and talk on the phone just because they thought I wasn't staying here. So all of this is irrelevant. >> No, it's not. >> It very is. >> Oh man, it's not. >> It very so much is. >> It's not. >> You didn't catch me on the on the side of the road and I pulled in here and you say, "Oh, I'm pulling you over." And >> the citizen rightly pointed out that the police had come over an alleged question about his guest status. And suddenly the topic had shifted to the vehicle. Worse, they admitted they hadn't caught him driving. It's clear that sitting in a car and talking on the phone isn't an offense. Still, officers will gladly accept any excuse as long as it works in their favor. You >> over and your plot ran your plate. You didn't do any of that. You came over here because you thought I wasn't. Stand in the room. >> P is not standing. >> He got called here. >> He got called here, not you. But he knows he knows the law and he knows what I'm saying. >> See, and that's what it is. If you think you got a feeling and you can and that's how people get that's how law people get in lawsuits because you have a feeling. I'm an Army veteran and I'm serve the country just like y'all doing. So don't don't don't think that I don't know the law because you think I don't know the law. >> You don't know you can't be in possession of a vehicle with bad plates on it out if it's not on your property. >> Lord have mercy. Look at this guy. Yeah. 8 minutes and 59 seconds. Police. >> All right. Boing. >> What is your name? Just cuz I And I'm not asking for your your all your ID and stuff. I I just want to be able to address you correctly while we're talking. >> Mhm. >> What's What's your name? >> Just good citizen, man. I'm a great citizen, actually. Outstanding citizen. >> Okay. Well, my name's John. >> I get it, John. >> Can I get your first name at least so we can talk? >> We talking now, John. >> That's fine. This is what I want to try to avoid for you. Okay. >> Yeah. I understand that obviously you don't you don't have a ton of trust in us and I get that. That's fine. But I want to try to explain a little a little bit of >> Can you close that door? >> Maybe these officers thought they held all the power here. But what they didn't know was that this citizen wasn't afraid of them at all. And that's the point. Never forget. No matter how many officers show up to intimidate you, no one can take away your rights. The more of us who know that, the fewer officers there will be trying to pretend they are the law. So, you think this was bad? You ain't seen nothing yet. Just when it feels like the bottom's been reached, another video comes along and proves there's always a new low. So, if you want to see how far some officers will go when no one's watching, don't miss what's coming in our next