04272006 - Officer Matthew Thompson - Sentenced - Manistee PD

Also See:

Officer Matthew Thompson charged with domestic violence [Jan. 19, 2006]

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/01/january-19-2006-sergeant-matthew.html

Former Manistee police officer Matthew Thompson charged with sexual assault of relatives between 1987 - 1994 [April 17, 2012]

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/04/former-officer-matthew-thompson.html

Former Manistee Officer found guilty of violence
Mon. May 01, 2006
By: Chuck Randall
http://www.wkla.com/newsarchive.php?news_id=5342

A former Manistee City Police Officer is found guilty of domestic violence following a trial with a special prosecutor with the Michigan State Police.

34-year old Matt Thompson was a 9-year veteran with the City Police Department before he got into an altercation with his fiancée outside of their home at about 4am on January 19th.

During a night of drinking, according to authorities, Thompson, who no longer works for the Manistee City Police, was sentenced to one year probation, including anger concealing and alternative to violence classes.







Former cop guilty in domestic violence case
Ludington Daily News
Kevin Braciszeski - Daily News Staff Writer
Friday, April 28, 2006
http://www.ludingtondailynews.com/news.php?story_id=31137

MANISTEE - A jury found former Manistee Police Sgt. Matthew Thompson guilty of domestic violence Thursday and sentenced him to a year of probation.

The trial in Manistee County's 85th District Court followed Thompson's arrest on the charge in January. The incident occurred at his home while he was off duty.

Thompson had been on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest, and Manistee Police Chief Dave Bachman said this morning that Thompson resigned a few weeks ago and is no longer a member of the department.

In addition to probation, Thompson was ordered to pay fines and costs totaling $820. He was also ordered to receive anger management counseling and treatment for alcohol abuse, as required by his probation officer.

The Michigan State Police investigated the incident.

04242006 - Officer Brent Craft - Jackson PD

Former cop gets probation, avoids jail
By Scott Hagen
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
http://www.mlive.com/news/jacitpat/index.ssf?/base/news-17/115142440675760.xml&coll=3

A former Jackson police officer got scolded Monday but will avoid jail as long as he completes a rehabilitation program.

District Judge Darryl Mazur told Brent Craft he held a position of authority in law enforcement and should have acted appropriately.

Craft, 32, resigned from the Jackson force April 26, two days after he was arrested on drunken-driving and domestic assault charges.

"One assumes you knew more and knew better," Mazur said.

Craft pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was placed on probation for 15 months.

Prosecutors dropped the drunken-driving charge as part of a plea agreement. The domestic assault charge is dropped if Craft completes the batterer-intervention program.

On Monday, attorney Sean Carroll told Mazur the arrest had "life-changing effects" on the eight-year police veteran.

Craft apologized to Mazur personally and to the court, saying it was a "one-time mistake."

State troopers found him and his wife parked on a Liberty Township road. Troopers determined there had been a traffic crash that evening and that Craft, who was off duty, had been drinking and was driving. He also was charged for a fight with his wife.

Craft will spend time in the batterer-intervention program, designed to reduce the recurrence of domestic attacks.

He also was ordered not to drink alcohol during probation and must pay $865 in fees.








Local Officer Arrested/Resigns
WLNS, MI - 4 hours ago
April 24, 2006 12:57 PM PDT
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4809711&nav=0RbQ

A Jackson police officer is arrested for misbehavior.

A call for help lands a Jackson police officer in jail. Michigan State Police responded to a domestic dispute which included an off-duty officer. Officer Brent Craft is charged with domestic assault and with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Those charges left Craft with out a job. For eight years, Officer Brent Craft protected Jackson residents. During those years, he performed his duties well.

Chief Ervin Portis, Jackson Police Department: "Officer Craft has been a very good police officer for us."

But two bad decisions this weekend- damaged Crafts' reputation, landed him in jail and ended his career with the Jackson Police Department.

Chief Ervin Portis: "Circumstances in his personal life spiraled out of control."

Those circumstances all unfolded here on Gillet Road. State troopers arrested Craft for domestic assault and for driving while intoxicated, Irving Portis was visibly hurt by Craft's actions.

Chief Ervin Portis: "I was mad and disappointed."

Craft resigned. He left his badge behind and a few parting words for his former employer.

Chief Ervin Portis: "He came in this morning, apologetic to me, to the men and women of our department and to the citizens here he served. He apologized for the embarrassment he caused."

A court hearing for Craft has not been set. The eight-year officer's registration is effective immediately.











---------------


Man gets 10 to 15 years after struggle with police
Jackson Citizen Patriot (MI)
Friday, August 6, 2004
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/01/officer-timothy-hibbard-jackson-pd.html

A Jackson man who struggled with three city police officers during his arrest will spend 10 to 15 years in prison. 

"This is an assaultive individual who wants to put the blame on everyone else," Assistant Prosecutor Allison Bates said of Gerald Landrum. 

A jury last month acquitted Landrum of the most serious offense of attempting to murder an officer, but convicted him of four counts: assault with intent to do great bodily harm against Officer Timothy Hibbard ; resisting and obstructing police causing injury, and two counts of resisting and obstructing officers Ryan LePeak and Brent Craft. 

Landrum, 31, was on parole for assault with intent to do great bodily harm when Hibbard attempted to arrest him in the 900 block of Williams Street on April 17. Police said Landrum was drunk and out past his 11 p.m. curfew. 

Hibbard said Landrum tried to choke him and grab his handgun in the struggle. All three police and Landrum scuffled on the ground before Landrum was subdued with pepper spray and some punches to the head. Landrum blamed the fight on Hibbard, who was not in court Thursday. 

" Timothy Hibbard tried to stretch the truth," Landrum said. "The entire sum of his injuries was a sore throat and bruised shoulder. It was not me causing injuries." 

"Grotesque," Bates said of Landrum's explanation. "He is the one who chose to fight." 


Landrum's criminal background includes second-degree criminal sexual conduct, possession of cocaine, open intoxicants, marijuana possession, loitering, attempted resisting and obstructing and assault. 

[MI POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT MURDER SUICIDE]

04222006 - Officer Phillip Bal - Suspended - Iron Mountain PD

Also See:

1995 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC allegation - Iron Mountain PD

04012004 - Officer Phillip Bal - Home invasion and CSC - Iron Mountain PD

04012005 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD

04212006 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD

04222006 - Officer Phillip Bal - Suspended - Iron Mountain PD

07112006 - Officer Phillip Bal - Terminated - Iron Mountain PD

07182007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Sentenced [April 01, 2004 CSC/Home Invasion Charges] - Iron Mountain PD

08152007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal Filed - COA 280009 - Iron Mountain PD

09172007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal Filed - COA 280601 - Iron Mountain PD

10182007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - COA Appeal 280009 - Dismissed - Iron Mountain PD

11082007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - LE license revoked - Iron Mountain PD

08282008 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Charges dismissed [Aurora WI. April 2005 charges] - Iron Mountain PD

09232008 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal COA 280601 - OPINION - Conviction Affirmed - Iron Mountain PD

05242020 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Released From Prison - Iron Mountain PD

05242020 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Registered Sex Offender - Iron Mountain PD

Former officer bound to Circuit Court
Iron Mountain Daily News
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/stories/image_generator.asp?path=D:%5Coweb.net%
July 17, 2006
Article from 10-7 Forum
http://www.10-7.com/forum/viewtopic.phpt=24687&highlight=&sid=b9413b2a894295af48d7a2a7cfe53554

IRON MOUNTAIN — A former Iron Mountain police officer was bound over to Circuit Court to face criminal sexual conduct charges following a preliminary hearing Monday.

After hearing from both the prosecution and the defense, District Court Judge Michael Kusz ruled he was satisfied their was sufficient evidence to send the charge of criminal sexual assault — fourth degree against former Iron Mountain police officer Phillip Bal to Circuit Court. Preliminary examinations do not determine guilt.

A preliminary examination in District Court is an evidentiary hearing for felonies where the prosecutor must present evidence amounting to at least probable cause that a crime occurred and that the defendant may have been involved.

If the prosecutor meets his burden of proof, the case is bound over to Circuit Court for arraignment.

Special Prosecutor Joe Sartorelli of Crystal Falls told The Daily News the criminal sexual conduct-fourth degree charge against Bal is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a $500 fine.

Bal is also facing two misdemeanor charges including assault and battery and being a disorderly person — intoxicated in public.

Only one person was called to the witness stand, the alleged victim, a Florence County woman.

She told the court that on Friday, April 21, around 11 p.m., she saw Phillip Bal at Off the Wally’s Bar on Fifth Street on Iron Mountain’s northside.

The plaintiff said she knew Bal from when she was having domestic violence problems with her ex-husband.

Seeing Bal at the bar, she went up to him and thanked him for all his help during her domestic violence ordeal, and asked if she could buy him a beer.

Bal said he already had a beer, but she could buy him one later.

Later that night, Bal sat next to her and put an empty beer bottle on the bar. She then bought Bal a beer.

“We started to chat,” she said, “and within a few minutes he started telling me how difficult his marriage was, and how tough things were going for him at home. He then leaned over and kissed me. I slapped his hand and said, ‘You’re married.’” She then left the bar to go play some video games. arraignment.

“I was just about to put money into one of the games, when I heard somebody call my name,” she testified.

“I turned around and Bal was in my face. Bal asked me if I wanted to go home and have some fun with him. I said, ‘No.’ I told him, ‘You have a wife and kids at home. You’re a police officer. Don’t do this.’”

Bal asked her where she lived, and she said she was staying with a girlfriend who was with her at the bar.

Bal asked her girlfriend where she lived, but she wouldn’t tell him.

She then went back and sat at the bar. She was talking with one of her friends when she heard someone call her name. She said that when she turned around, Bal grabbed her face and kissed her.

“I said, ‘You can’t do this,’ but he did it again,” she said.

When asked by Prosecutor Sartorelli what she did next, she said she tried to ignore Bal and he went to the end of the bar. Some 15 minutes later, she told her friend she was going to use the restroom. Her friend asked if she wanted her to with her, but she said, “No.”

She testified that she was about to go into the women’s room, when someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a storage area. The door slammed and when she turned around it was Bal, she said.

She said Bal grabbed her by the neck with his left hand and threw her against the wall.

“He kept trying to kiss me,” she said. “He pinned my left arm up against the wall and started rubbing the left side of my body including my left breast. He also thrust his pelvis against me repeatedly simulating sex.”

A friend walked in and asked what was going on, the alleged victim testified. Bal told her the two were just talking and slammed the door in her face, she told the court.

She said she felt very helpless and frightened.

“He kept telling me how pretty I was and kept trying to kiss me,” she said. “I finally bit his lip hoping to get him to stop. I told him he was drunk and that I was sober and that I wasn’t going to forget this.”

Sartorelli asked if biting Bal’s lip made him stop.

“For a short time,” she responded.

“Around that same time,” the plaintiff said, “an employee of Off the Wally’s came into the room and that made him stop,” the plaintiff said.

The plaintiff told the court she doesn’t remember how she got out of the room. Bal left the bar shortly thereafter.

On Saturday, April 22, around 3 p.m., the plaintiff received a phone call from Iron Mountain Police Chief Pete Flaminio. Flaminio asked the plaintiff to tell him what had happened at Off the Wally’s. The plaintiff told the chief what had happened.

During cross-examination, the plaintiff relayed many of the same details to defense attorney Frank Stupak of Escanaba.

The plaintiff told Stupak that she and two friends had arrived at Off the Wally’s bar around 9:45 p.m. that evening. She said she had been going there with friends once a week for approximately three months. The plaintiff told Stupak the alleged incident with Bal happened between 11:30 p.m. and midnight.

When asked how many drinks she had consumed prior to the alleged incident with Phillip Bal, the plaintiff said she had consumed two drinks.

Stupak asked the plaintiff what kind of crowd was in the bar that night and how many of them she knew.

“I would say there were approximately 35 people there,” the plaintiff said. “I knew about 15 of them, including the owner and the bartender.”

Stupak asked the plaintiff why she didn’t scream for help?

“The jukebox was so loud,” the plaintiff said, “nobody would have heard me.”

Stupak then asked the plaintiff if she recalled what she was wearing and what Bal was wearing?

“I was wearing jeans and a tank top with a short sleeve wrap. Bal was wearing jeans with a blue polo shirt and a white t-shirt underneath,” the plaintiff replied.

Stupak asked the plaintiff if police ever examined her clothing?

“No they didn’t,” said the plaintiff.

Bal’s Circuit Court arraignment is set for Monday, Aug. 7 at 9 a.m.

                       











Iron Mtn officer arraigned on sex misconduct, assault charges
WOOD-TV, MI
Jul 3, 2006
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5108150&nav=menu44_2

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. An Iron Mountain police officer will appear in court again later this month after being arraigned last week on assault and sexual misconduct charges.

Officer Phillip Bal didn't say a word as a Dickinson County judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. If convicted, the 32-year-old officer could face two years in prison.

The charges stem from events on April 21st at a bar in Iron Mountain. The criminal sexual conduct charge involves a 23-year-old Wisconsin woman. The alleged assaults involved an Iron Mountain man and woman. Bal was off duty at the time.

He has been suspended without pay. His next court appearance comes July 17th.

04212006 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD

Also See:

1995 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC allegation - Iron Mountain PD

04012004 - Officer Phillip Bal - Home invasion and CSC - Iron Mountain PD

04012005 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD

04212006 - Officer Phillip Bal - CSC - Iron Mountain PD

04222006 - Officer Phillip Bal - Suspended - Iron Mountain PD

07112006 - Officer Phillip Bal - Terminated - Iron Mountain PD

07182007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Sentenced [April 01, 2004 CSC/Home Invasion Charges] - Iron Mountain PD

08152007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal Filed - COA 280009 - Iron Mountain PD

09172007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal Filed - COA 280601 - Iron Mountain PD

10182007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - COA Appeal 280009 - Dismissed - Iron Mountain PD

11082007 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - LE license revoked - Iron Mountain PD

08282008 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Charges dismissed [Aurora WI. April 2005 charges] - Iron Mountain PD

09232008 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Appeal COA 280601 - OPINION - Conviction Affirmed - Iron Mountain PD

05242020 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Released From Prison - Iron Mountain PD

05242020 - Former Officer Phillip Bal - Registered Sex Offender - Iron Mountain PD

   

 

On April 21, 2006 a woman who knew Officer Phillip Bal, saw him in a bar in Iron Mountain. The woman went up to Bal and thanked him for his handling of her recent domestic incident. She offered to buy Bal a drink. Bal later went up to the woman and attempted to kiss her. The woman rejected Bal's advances. Bal suggested they go home to have some fun and again the woman rejected Bal's advances. Later that night, when the woman was walking to the bathroom, Bal grabbed her and pushed her into a closet where he sexually assaulted her.

 

The woman immediately reported the assault to the Iron Mountain PD. After criminal charges against Officer Bal were filed, other victims who had been sexually assaulted by Officer Bal began to step forward.

 

  Officer Bal was convicted in May 2007 and sentenced to 10 - 20 years in prison for an April 2004 sexual assault.

 

 

 

 









Bal blames media, says victim is lying
The Daily News
By PETE FRECCHIO, Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=6994

IRON MOUNTAIN — In Dickinson County Circuit Court on Wednesday, convicted sex offender Phillip Bal told Judge Richard Celello he was sentencing "an innocent man.”

Celello, saying he had thought long and hard about his decision, sentenced Bal, 34, of Iron Mountain, to 11 to 20 years in prison.At a jury trial in May, Bal, a former Iron Mountain police officer, was found guilty of criminal sexual conduct-first degree and home invasion-first degree.

The charges were related to an assault on an Iron Mountain woman at her home in April 2004.Celello sentenced Bal to 11 to 20 years on each count. The two sentences will run concurrently. Bal was given credit for 55 days served and ordered to register as a sex offender.

"This is one of the most difficult cases I have ever presided over," Celello told Bal. "(The defense) questioned the decision making methods of the jury. I can’t second guess the jury. I am not punishing you because you are a former police officer," Celello told Bal.

Bal told the court that since he was off-duty when the incident occurred, he should not be held to a higher standard because he was a police officer.

"Bal being a police officer should definitely be considered in determining his sentence," said special prosecuting attorney Jennifer Mazzuchi of Marquette. "When a gang member is involved in a crime, people are not shocked. When a police officer is involved in a crime, people are shocked. It is an abuse of his power."

At his first sentencing hearing on June 27, Bal informed the court he wished to dismiss attorney Frank Stupak of Escanaba and retain the services of appellate attorney Sanford Schulman of Detroit. The change in legal counsel delayed Bal’s sentencing three weeks.

Emotions were running high as supporters of both Bal and the victim filled the benches in the third floor courtroom.

In response to a statement Bal made before the court saying the victim was lying, Judge Celello responded, "The victim is telling the truth. She was brutally assaulted by you. I can’t think of anything short of murder that is as bad as what happened here. Alcohol has caused you terrible problems in your life," Celello said.

Several motions brought forward by Schulman concerning a proposed polygraph test, the jury’s method of reaching a guilty verdict and sentencing guidelines in the pre-sentence report were denied by Judge Celello.

In his statement before the court, an emotional Bal said the justice system let him down.

"I stand before you an embarrassed and humiliated man," he said. "My sinful and immoral action is responsible for everything that has happened.

I apologize to my wife for breaking her trust and violating the sanctity of our marriage. Her love has kept me strong. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her," Bal said.

"I apologize to my (four) kids, my parents, my family and my friends for what has happened the last 15 months and for letting them down," he continued. "I thank everyone for their letters of support. I thank the people of St. Mary and St. Joseph church for welcoming my family there and for the support they will give them when I am gone. I apologize to (the victim) and her family for what I have done. I pray life will return to normal for them."

Bal went on to list a number of injustices he felt had occurred.

"Several stories in the newspaper (about my case) slowly poisoned the selection of my jury and took away any chance I had for a fair trial," he said.

"My family was publicly humiliated. Because I was a police officer, my name and my family’s name was dragged through the mud. I lost my job. The prosecution never asked me for my side of the story," Bal said.

"The court allowed two women who had cases pending against me to testify against me," he said.

"Jurors later said they used that (information) to convict me. I was convicted based on what was said about two cases that never went to trial," he said."

I never asked for special treatment because I was a police officer. I feel I was prosecuted because I was a police officer. I ask the court for mercy and leniency. I have four kids that need a father. I have a wife who needs a husband. God has forgiven me. The victim is lying. You are sentencing an innocent man," Bal said.

Bal will be remanded to the custody to the Michigan Department of Corrections. He will be transported to the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility in Jackson where he will be a part of the general prison population.

Bal’s attorney, Sanford Schulman, said an appeal will be filed.

"(Bal) was convicted on the testimony of two women whose charges against (Bal) were never brought to trial. The jury was hit with three cases at once. The evidence in the (case of the victim) was weak," said Schulman.

A Wisconsin woman who says she was involved in an encounter with Bal in the mid-1990’s attended Wednesday’s sentencing. She approached The Daily News outside the courthouse to offer her thoughts on Bal.

"It’s been 12 years, but justice was finally served," she said. "Bal was lying in court today. I saw firsthand what he is capable of," the woman said. The unnamed woman says she hopes to see the other man that was involved in her encounter with Bal brought to justice. "Eventually, it all catches up with them," she said.

Bal could still face a criminal sexual conduct charge involving an Iron Mountain woman in May 2005 at the C&R Bar in Aurora, Wis.

Florence County District Attorney Douglas Drexler has indicated he will decide shortly how he will proceed.

Bal is facing one count of criminal sexual conduct—second degree, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

 

 

Former officer bound to Circuit Court

Iron Mountain Daily News
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/stories/image_generator.asp?path=D:%5Coweb.net%
July 17, 2006
Article from 10-7 Forum
http://www.10-7.com/forum/viewtopic.phpt=24687&highlight=&sid=b9413b2a894295af48d7a2a7cfe53554

IRON MOUNTAIN — A former Iron Mountain police officer was bound over to Circuit Court to face criminal sexual conduct charges following a preliminary hearing Monday.

After hearing from both the prosecution and the defense, District Court Judge Michael Kusz ruled he was satisfied their was sufficient evidence to send the charge of criminal sexual assault — fourth degree against former Iron Mountain police officer Phillip Bal to Circuit Court. Preliminary examinations do not determine guilt.

A preliminary examination in District Court is an evidentiary hearing for felonies where the prosecutor must present evidence amounting to at least probable cause that a crime occurred and that the defendant may have been involved.

If the prosecutor meets his burden of proof, the case is bound over to Circuit Court for arraignment.

Special Prosecutor Joe Sartorelli of Crystal Falls told The Daily News the criminal sexual conduct-fourth degree charge against Bal is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a $500 fine.

Bal is also facing two misdemeanor charges including assault and battery and being a disorderly person — intoxicated in public.

Only one person was called to the witness stand, the alleged victim, a Florence County woman.

She told the court that on Friday, April 21, around 11 p.m., she saw Phillip Bal at Off the Wally’s Bar on Fifth Street on Iron Mountain’s northside.

The plaintiff said she knew Bal from when she was having domestic violence problems with her ex-husband.

Seeing Bal at the bar, she went up to him and thanked him for all his help during her domestic violence ordeal, and asked if she could buy him a beer.

Bal said he already had a beer, but she could buy him one later.

Later that night, Bal sat next to her and put an empty beer bottle on the bar. She then bought Bal a beer.

“We started to chat,” she said, “and within a few minutes he started telling me how difficult his marriage was, and how tough things were going for him at home. He then leaned over and kissed me. I slapped his hand and said, ‘You’re married.’” She then left the bar to go play some video games. arraignment.

“I was just about to put money into one of the games, when I heard somebody call my name,” she testified.

“I turned around and Bal was in my face. Bal asked me if I wanted to go home and have some fun with him. I said, ‘No.’ I told him, ‘You have a wife and kids at home. You’re a police officer. Don’t do this.’”

Bal asked her where she lived, and she said she was staying with a girlfriend who was with her at the bar.

Bal asked her girlfriend where she lived, but she wouldn’t tell him.

She then went back and sat at the bar. She was talking with one of her friends when she heard someone call her name. She said that when she turned around, Bal grabbed her face and kissed her.

“I said, ‘You can’t do this,’ but he did it again,” she said.

When asked by Prosecutor Sartorelli what she did next, she said she tried to ignore Bal and he went to the end of the bar. Some 15 minutes later, she told her friend she was going to use the restroom. Her friend asked if she wanted her to with her, but she said, “No.”

She testified that she was about to go into the women’s room, when someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a storage area. The door slammed and when she turned around it was Bal, she said.

She said Bal grabbed her by the neck with his left hand and threw her against the wall.

“He kept trying to kiss me,” she said. “He pinned my left arm up against the wall and started rubbing the left side of my body including my left breast. He also thrust his pelvis against me repeatedly simulating sex.”

A friend walked in and asked what was going on, the alleged victim testified. Bal told her the two were just talking and slammed the door in her face, she told the court.

She said she felt very helpless and frightened.

“He kept telling me how pretty I was and kept trying to kiss me,” she said. “I finally bit his lip hoping to get him to stop. I told him he was drunk and that I was sober and that I wasn’t going to forget this.”

Sartorelli asked if biting Bal’s lip made him stop.

“For a short time,” she responded.

“Around that same time,” the plaintiff said, “an employee of Off the Wally’s came into the room and that made him stop,” the plaintiff said.

The plaintiff told the court she doesn’t remember how she got out of the room. Bal left the bar shortly thereafter.

On Saturday, April 22, around 3 p.m., the plaintiff received a phone call from Iron Mountain Police Chief Pete Flaminio. Flaminio asked the plaintiff to tell him what had happened at Off the Wally’s. The plaintiff told the chief what had happened.

During cross-examination, the plaintiff relayed many of the same details to defense attorney Frank Stupak of Escanaba.

The plaintiff told Stupak that she and two friends had arrived at Off the Wally’s bar around 9:45 p.m. that evening. She said she had been going there with friends once a week for approximately three months. The plaintiff told Stupak the alleged incident with Bal happened between 11:30 p.m. and midnight.

When asked how many drinks she had consumed prior to the alleged incident with Phillip Bal, the plaintiff said she had consumed two drinks.

Stupak asked the plaintiff what kind of crowd was in the bar that night and how many of them she knew.

“I would say there were approximately 35 people there,” the plaintiff said. “I knew about 15 of them, including the owner and the bartender.”

Stupak asked the plaintiff why she didn’t scream for help?

“The jukebox was so loud,” the plaintiff said, “nobody would have heard me.”

Stupak then asked the plaintiff if she recalled what she was wearing and what Bal was wearing?

“I was wearing jeans and a tank top with a short sleeve wrap. Bal was wearing jeans with a blue polo shirt and a white t-shirt underneath,” the plaintiff replied.

Stupak asked the plaintiff if police ever examined her clothing?

“No they didn’t,” said the plaintiff.

Bal’s Circuit Court arraignment is set for Monday, Aug. 7 at 9 a.m.

Briefs from the Upper Peninsula
Associated Press
Duluth News Tribune, MN
Jul. 12, 2006
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/15023867.htm

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (AP) - A city police officer charged with criminal sexual conduct and other charges has been fired.

City Manager John Marquart announced Tuesday that Phillip Bal had lost his job.

Bal, 32, of Iron Mountain, is charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault and battery and one county of being drunk and disorderly. He has been with the local police department for six years.

"Officer Phillip Bal vehemently denies the accusations against him," said his attorney, Frank Stupak. "Bal is surprised the city of Iron Mountain would terminate him in advance of proof of the accusations which come from a barroom while Bal was off duty."

A preliminary examination and a pretrial hearing are scheduled for Monday on the charges.

They involve an incident alleged to have taken place at Wally's Bar on April 21.

                     









Iron Mountain Officer Fired
Iron Mountain
WLUC TV6
July 11, 2006
http://www.wluctv6.com/Global/story.asp?S=5137526&nav=menu134_5_9

Iron Mountain city officials have fired police officer Phillip Bal over allegations arising from an off-duty bar fight. He was dismissed Tuesday following an internal investigation that lasted nearly three months.

Bal was arraigned last week on charges of criminal sexual conduct, assault, and drunken and disorderly conduct

City Manager John Marquart said the city had no other option except to terminate Bal.

"We did an investigation and this is what the results showed," he said. "We feel that for the best interest of the city, this is the correct step to follow."

Bal and his attorney Frank Stupak disagree. "Officer Bal is surprised that the presumption of 'innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt' apparently carries no weight with the police administration," Stupak told TV6.

Bal makes another court appearance on Monday for a pre-trial hearing.

                     












Iron Mtn officer arraigned on sex misconduct, assault charges
WOOD-TV, MI
Jul 3, 2006
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5108150&nav=menu44_2

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. An Iron Mountain police officer will appear in court again later this month after being arraigned last week on assault and sexual misconduct charges.

Officer Phillip Bal didn't say a word as a Dickinson County judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. If convicted, the 32-year-old officer could face two years in prison.

The charges stem from events on April 21st at a bar in Iron Mountain. The criminal sexual conduct charge involves a 23-year-old Wisconsin woman. The alleged assaults involved an Iron Mountain man and woman. Bal was off duty at the time.

He has been suspended without pay. His next court appearance comes July 17th.

                       













News in brief from Upper Michigan
7/2/2006, 10:28 p.m. ET
The Saginaw News, MI
The Associated Press
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news35/1151894381117650.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (AP) — An Iron Mountain police officer was arraigned on two counts of assault and battery and one count each of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and being drunk and disorderly.

Officer Phillip Bal, 32, stood mute to the charges Friday in Dickinson County District Court. Judge Michael J. Kusz entered not guilty pleas on Bal's behalf.

The charges stem from a series of events that occurred April 21 at Off the Wally's Bar in Iron Mountain. The criminal sexual conduct incident involved a 23-year-old Florence, Wis., woman. The alleged assaults involved a 27-year-old Iron Mountain woman and an Iron Mountain man.

Bal was released on bond. A preliminary hearing on the criminal sexual conduct charge, a felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison, was scheduled for July 17.

Bal has been suspended without pay, The Daily News of Iron Mountain reported.

                     










Officer pleads not guilty
Charged after alleged assaults at IM tavern
Iron Mountain Daily News
July 01, 2006
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/stories/articles.asp?articleID=2381

CAPTION: Iron Mountain Police Officer Phillip Bal, left, his attorney, Frank Stupak of Escanaba, center, and Special Prosecutor Joe Sartorelli of Crystal Falls are shown in Dickinson County District Court on Friday morning. Bal entered not guilty pleas to one count of criminal sexual conduct-fourth degree, two counts of assault and battery and one count of disorderly person/drunk. A preliminary examination has been set for Monday, July 17, in district court.

IRON MOUNTAIN — An Iron Mountain police officer entered not guilty pleas Friday to one count of criminal sexual conduct-fourth degree, two counts of assault and battery and one count of disorderly person/drunk.

Officer Phillip Bal, 32, of Iron Mountain sat quietly in Dickinson County District Court as his attorney, Frank Stupak of Escanaba, chose to stand mute on the charges before Judge Michael J. Kusz. Pleas of not guilty were automatically entered on each count.

Special Prosecutor Joe Sartorelli of Crystal Falls told The Daily News the criminal sexual conduct-fourth degree charge is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a $500 fine.

The two assault and battery charges are misdemeanors punishable by up to 93 days in jail. The disorderly person/drunk charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail. Bond for Bal was set at 10 percent of $3,000. While out on bond, Bal is not to possess or consume alcohol, not to enter or remain in any establishment where alcohol is sold for use therein, not to engage in any harassing, intimidating, assaultive or threatening behavior and is not to have contact with any of the witnesses.

A preliminary examination on the felony has been set for Monday, July 17, in district court. A pre-trial hearing on the misdemeanor charges will also be held on that date.

The charges stem from a series of events that occurred at Off the Wally’s Bar in Iron Mountain on April 21, 2006. The alleged CSC-fourth degree incident involved a 23-year-old Florence, Wis. woman. The two alleged assault and battery incidents involved a 27-year-old Iron Mountain female and an Iron Mountain man.

“Michigan Attorney General (Mike Cox) took quite a while in deciding who should be appointed as special prosecutor in this case,” said Sartorelli. “It was quite recently that I was chosen as the special prosecutor.”

Sartorelli’s normal responsibilities are as Iron County Prosecuting Attorney.

“I want to get this case to trial as quickly as possible. I also want to reassure the public that this case will be treated as any other case would be treated involving serious crimes such as these,” Sartorelli said. “A police officer is put in a position of public trust and is not above the law. In the end I want the public to feel that justice was done.”

As of Friday morning, Iron Mountain City Manager John Marquart said that Officer Bal was still suspended without pay.

                       






Dickinson County Police Message Board
- Fire Phil Bal
Author Comment The Truth
5/06/06 at 01:08 PM
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/jeeves/vpost?id=1104566

Recently a complaint of physical abuse was filed against Phil Bal, An IMPD officer. I have no idea whether it is true or not. I was not there nor have I talked to any witnesses. But if true signifies that someone has an alcohol problem coupled with an unstable temper. Just what we need walking around town armed.

What I do know is this; Officer Bal needs to be fired. He has a childish lack of brain control and also is a plain outright liar. He has in the past stated that "they tag-teamed me and gave me a blow job". They "they" he was referring to were two DCSD dispatchers. He told that lie to every badge that would listen to him. When it got back to one of the dispatchers he was of course directly confronted about the maliciously false statements he had made. He stammered and stuttered and apologized and said it was all a joke. That was no joke, it is was a blatant outright lie by an immature individual who should be digging ditches for a living and not dealing with the public.

Question:
What would this officer say about someone who had no defenses in the course of an investigation. Would he lie about something?

How about in court? Could this persons testimony be considered valid.

It is extremely plausible that past cases where he testified may contain false testimony and need to be carefully looked at.

Why did these two dispatchers do nothing. Plain and simple, they are afraid for their jobs. Afraid to make waves, for they work in a very vulgar and degrading atmosphere at times.

This is a person that the community DOES NOT need to be protected by but rather it seems the community needs protection FROM this unstable individual.

04082006 - Officer Ronell Weatherspoon - CSC - Buena Vista PD

APRIL 08, 2006: BUENA VISTA POLICE OFFICER RONELL WEATHERSPOON SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HIS FRIENDS FIFTEEN YEAR-OLD BABYSITTER. WEATHERSPOON WAS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT WITH ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SEXUAL PENETRATION; THIRD-DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT; FOURTH-DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT; AND FURNISHING ALCOHOL TO A MINOR. RONELL. 

IN A PLEA AGREEMENT, RONELL PLEADED GUILTY TO ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO COMMIT SEXUAL PENETRATION AND FOURTH-DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT. THE OTHER CHARGES WERE DROPPED.

AT WEATHERSPOON'S AUGUST 02, 2007 SENTENCING, HE WAS SENTENCED TO AT LEAST ONE YEAR IN JAIL WITH UP TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON.

HOWEVER, WEATHERSPOON WAS OUT OF JAIL WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, AS HE WAS REARRESTED IN NOVEMBER 2007 FOR A PAROLE VIOLATION AND FOR A WARRANT FOR AN ALLEGED CAR JACKING.


ALSO SEE:
November 07, 2007: Former Officer Ronell Weatherspoon, Buena Vista PD.

Parole violation [CSC offenses].
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/former-officer-ronell-weatherspoon.html






November 07, 2007: Former Officer Ronell Weatherspoon, Buena Vista PD
Felony warrant for an alleged car jacking.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/11/former-officer-ronell-weatherspoon_07.html




 
 
 


 

 

Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards

Commission Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2007
Southwest District Public Safety Building
Detroit, Michigan

Page 7


Commission Revocations – The Commission was provided with a link to review the certified record and the “Proposal for Decisions” (PFD) from Administrative Law Judge Michael Zimmer from three hearings, held on the October 2, 2007. Mr. Furtaw presented the following cases recommending the Commission consider the proofs, finding of facts, and conclusions of law found in the “Proposals for Decision” issued by Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Michael Zimmer.

Ronell Weatherspoon – Mr. Weatherspoon was convicted of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct. He entered a plea on July 31, 2007.A MOTION was made by Mr. Buczek and supported by Lt. Col. Yungfer to accept the Proposal for Decision of the Administrative Law Judge and revoke the law enforcement license of Mr. Ronell Weatherspoon.

A VOTE was taken. The MOTION carried.







Michigan Police Nab Naked Fugitive

Click On Detroit
November 07, 2007
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Most-Wanted-News/Michigan-Police-Nab-Naked-Fugitive/7

PONTIAC, Mich. -- A parol violator, trying to escape approaching officers, jumped naked from a residence on West Rundell Street near Baldwin Road and eluded police dogs before his final capture Tuesday, police said.

According to police, Kevin Demarco Weatherspoon fled the apartment as it was approached by officers from the Tri-County Sheriff's Parole Absconder Unit.

Weatherspoon had violated his parole stemming from an assault conviction.

He also has a felony warrant against him from the Auburn Hills Police Department for an alleged carjacking.

After Weatherspoon's initial escape, police said, the 26-year-old nude fugitive eventually eluded police dogs who were tracking him in the surrounding streets.

Weatherspoon was eventually arrested in the first block of Hudson Street. By the time cops put the cuffs on him, Weatherspoon had found some clothes.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Former Police Officer gets jail time

The Bay City Times
August 02, 2007
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1186067762175740.xml&coll=4

BUENA VISTA, MICHIGAN – A former Buena Vista Township police officer will spend at least a year in jail after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges involving a 15-year-old girl.

Ronell Weatherspoon 40, was sentenced by Bay County Circuit Judge William J. Caprathe on Monday to 19 months to 10 years for assault with attempt to commit sexual penetration and 13 to 24 months for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Weatherspoon pleaded no contest to those charges in exchange for dismissal of a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge and a charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Weatherspoon, of Saginaw, was charged after the father of a 15-year-old Saginaw girl called police in May 2006 after learning that his daughter had sex with Weatherspoon while she and a friend babysat in a Williams Township trailer park for a friend’s children.

The girl said she’d met Weatherspoon through the 26-year-old woman whose children she babysat. That woman said she’d warned Weatherspoon to ‘’stay away” from the girl because she was only 15.

The girl said Weatherspoon showed up at the trailer with an 18-pack of beer on April 8, 2006, then later ran out and bought a fifth of vodka. The girl said she and her friend were performing ”lap dances” for each other and for Weatherspoon, and she was intoxicated and agreed to have sex with him.

Defense Attorney James Piazza argued prior to sentencing that ”this is a case where alcohol has clouded everyone’s judgment.”

He asked the judge to order no jail time. ”It may not be advisable to place him in a prison setting,” Piazza told the judge. "Further, it may not even be advisable to put him in a jail setting.”

Weatherspoon is no longer employed by Buena Vista, having resigned ”following the outcome of an internal investigation on an unrelated matter,” according to a statement made by a detective from that department.

The case was investigated by Bay County Sheriff’s Office detectives John Ruterbusch and Christopher Mausolf.

Caprathe also ordered Weatherspoon to undergo alcohol counseling.

04012006 - Officer Ronald Dupuis - Taser Trial - Hamtramck PD

OFFICER RONALD DUPUIS' [Former Ecorse Police Officer; Former Southgate Police Officer; Former Highland Park Police Officer; AND Former Hamtramck Police Officer; Current Highland Police Department]


SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR DUPUIS' HISTORY.

Also See:

Southgate police officer Ronald Dupuis accused of stalking a woman while on duty. Before Dupuis could be fired, he quit the department. Criminal charges were not filed against Dupuis

[March 16, 1999]

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/1999/03/officer-ronald-dupis-southgate-pd.html

The Trial
Posted on April 1, 2006 by Hillary
The Hamtramck Star
http://www.hamtramckstar.com/the_trial/

On Friday, Steve and I attended the “Taser Trial” at City Hall. First, I must say the renovation of the 31st District Court is beautiful; a classic courtroom with wood accents and vintage furniture. The seats for the public were at one time pews in a Catholic church with kneelers and hymnals.

Family and friends of Dupuis packed into the pews on the right with a few college students attending for a class. We sat on the left with Graham’s family and friends, and numerous visiting Hamtramck PD officers. A cameraman from FOX2 also sat in the back briefly.

The jury consisted of 4 men and 3 women. Three of the men were non-white, possibly Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian. Mr. Hammoud, the attorney sent by the prosecutor’s office, is an ESL speaker, Arabic possibly being his first language. The investigating officer, Sgt. Bielecki, was seated next to the prosecutor. A Mr. Sullivan represented Dupuis.

Graham testified first. She has been employed by the HPD 8 years. She said that on that day, she was driving, and Dupuis asked her to stop at a gas station for a drink. She drove to a gas station, but past the first entrance “messing with him”. He grabbed the wheel for a second, and then stopped. She told him to “calm down”, and he pulled out his taser, removed the cartridge, removed the safety, and “cranked it once”. She was intimidated by the crackling and said, “I know you’re not going to tase me.” Dupuis jabbed towards her twice with the taser off, and then jabbed her thigh and “cranked it again”. She went straight to the station, made a report, and offered to show the marks to Lt. Mathias. She did not seek medical attention.

On cross examination, Graham agreed that she wrote 2 reports about the incident, one immediately after, and another more detailed report later. That day, they stopped at a bank and a jewelry store immediately before. She admitted that Dupuis may have bought her a gift while vacationing in Hawaii, though she didn’t remember receiving a call from him after she had been in an auto accident. Graham received training on tasers, but did not accept a shock herself as some officers did. She was positive the trigger was pulled twice, and was told by someone that the firing data matched. She tried to withdraw her complaint a couple hours after filing it, but her request was not honored.

Lt. Mathias, a 40-year veteran (possibly misheard “14 years”) of the HPD, testified that Graham came into the station and made an excited utterance that she couldn’t work with Dupuis anymore because he “dry stunned her”. He said it was improper for Dupuis to pull the taser. He did not confiscate the taser, and had to retrieve it from another officer Dupuis passed it onto in order to preserve it as evidence. Mathias said he sent Graham and Dupuis home. He did not look at Graham’s thigh because he felt it would have been inappropriate.

On cross examination, Mathias was asked about Graham’s testimony that she finished her shift, and he conceded that may have been true, and Dupuis also may have worked at a desk the rest of the night. Dupuis was not arrested, a warrant was not requested, nor was his statement taken that night. Mathias said he called an off-duty detective in “within the hour”, but it was actually over 2 hours. Mathias was asked if police officers have a “different sense of humor”, and if he had ever said something to the effect that he could “trump up charges”. He agreed he had, but felt the quote was taken out of context.

Detective Crachiola, HPD officer 11 years, testified that she took the photos of Graham’s thigh. She is not trained as an evidence technician and no scale was shown. She described the marks as 2 circles, approximately an inch apart, less then 1/8th inch across. She had never seen a taser injury before, and agreed there were no lines between the marks or swelling.

Lt. Sarafino, HPD officer for 20 years, testified that he downloaded the data from the taser, and printed a report on November 30. The report showed the weapon was fired on November 3, at 15:24 hours, once for 1 second. Sarafino believed the report would show two entries if the weapon were fired twice. The defense attorney asked if information had been downloaded when Officer Nolan was tased, but it was ruled inadmissible.

Officer Aiello, HPD officer the last 11 years, trains Hamtramck officers on taser use and gave a demonstration (later seen on FOX2 news). The attorney for the prosecution claimed to be afraid of the tasers, and gingerly moved them from his table to the witness stand. Aiello testified that taking the cartridge out of a taser is like removing the magazine from a gun. A drive stun only affects the local area. It is protocol to perform a function test at the beginning of each shift. Tasers fire for 5 seconds when the trigger is pulled. Turning the safety on during the 5 second period is the only way to stop it, which is common practice when performing a function test.

Sgt. Bielecki, HPD officer for 24 years, testified that he wrote the warrant request to the prosecutors office, and asked for the video and taser report in the course of his investigation. When asked why he didn’t get the report or video sooner, he said downloading was “not immediately urgent” and the video shows outside of the car and has no sound. He was assigned to this case by Chief Doyle. The investigation was not referred to Michigan State Police, nor were they consulted, which was also Doyle’s decision. He was asked if he saw any problem with the discrepancies between his report and the report from the taser, he said he didn’t. The defense attorney said Bielecki led the prosecutor’s office to believe the taser was fired twice when he didn’t have the report yet, and asked if he felt he had a responsibility to present exculpatory evidence. Bielecki said he had sent a report to the prosecutor’s office “by mistake”. A warrant was issued on December 2.

The prosecution rested. The defense moved for a mistrial on the grounds that improper statements were made and hearsay introduced. His motion was denied.

The first witness for the defense was the president of Michigan Taser. He explained that a “drive stun” effects the localized area between the probes. If the trigger is pulled twice during the 5-second firing time, only one is recorded. Turning on the safety is the only way to cause a 1-second firing. While cross examining this witness, the attorney for the prosecution was holding a taser very comfortably; so comfortable that he used his own leg to illustrate his questions. He also referred to the probes as “arrows”, and continually talked about the probes until the defense objected on the grounds that they were irrelevant.

The expert said the printed report was correct assuming the software, computer, and taser were working properly, and other than printing a report, there is no way to tell when a taser had been fired. He recommends a function test before every shift. He still instructs courses, though not for Taser International, and was not paid for his appearance in court. He said injuries vary depending on the duration of contact, and can include swelling or blisters.

Ronald Dupuis testified that there are many practical jokers at the police department. That day, Graham was working a double shift. They stopped at a bank, and a jewelry store, and then he asked if she would stop at a gas station so he could buy something to drink. She told him he would have to wait until lunch. Lunch wouldn’t be for another 4 hours, so he didn’t believe her. On the way there, she slowed down to tease him more. They were joking back and forth, when he realized his vest had opened his holster, and it reminded him to perform a function test. He tested the taser, and said something like, “I don’t want to accidentally tase you when I collapse from dehydration.” He pointed it at her a couple times while it was off. She said, “You can get something to drink after I put some paper on this,” and started to return to the station. He thought she was joking. Practical jokes are common at the police department, like hiding equipment in the freezer.

Dupuis said he did not intend to touch Graham with the taser and had no reason to because they were friends. He called to tell her about extra shifts, and bought her a gift while he was on vacation. The prosecutor asked why Dupuis had said he accidentally tased Graham in a meeting with the prosecutor on November 15. Dupuis said he had started to doubt himself because he didn’t think Graham would lie. He denied grabbing the steering wheel.

During closing arguments, the prosecution tried to portray Dupuis as an abuser who was blaming his victim, and claimed the records were faulty. The defense said that tasers are designed to stop false accusations against police officers, and encouraged the jury to look at the physical evidence. He left them with the thought that if the marks on Graham’s leg were from a taser, it was not the taser in evidence.

Within an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.





Dupuis Not Guilty
Timeline and comments
Posted on March 31, 2006 by Steven
The Hamtramck Star
http://www.hamtramckstar.com/dupuis_not_guilty_timeline_and_comments/


11/03/05: Graham reports “taser incident” to superiors.

11/15/05: Case referred to prosecutor’s office.

11/16/05 anonymous comment: “the citizen reported that this poor excuse for a cop was fired this week.”

11/17/05 anonymous comment: “I am not assuming the worst. I am just stating that the tasering was no accident.”

11/18/05 anonymous comment: “I am aware that said officer is now denying it but now he knows he is not getting away with it. Once again, this is going to cost the city money. This officer has already cost the city too much.”

11/19/05 anonymous comment: “With the proper releases and in a controlled environment I would be happy to come over and “accidentally” taser you. You might find that you have an change of opinion towards “accidental” use of the taser.”

11/19/05 anonymous comment: “I agree with you that in a fair and just world the officer is assumed innocent until proven guilty, we do not live in a fair and just world.”

11/20/05 anonymous comment: “I have no problem in labeling this guy a bad cop, mainly because he is.”

11/30/05: Electronic records on Dupuis’ taser accessed”

12/02/05: Warrant was issued for Dupuis

12/08/05: Rob Cedar comments: “Hmmmm, maybe it wasn’t an “accidental tasering”, maybe the dismissal was justified, maybe it had nothing to do with Whittie.”

12/09/05: Rob Cedar comments: “Like I’ve said before I prefer- need to deal in facts and do not have the luxury of public speculation.”

12/09/05: Rob Cedar comments: “Think what you like, but my posting was to point out that it looked as though the tazering was not an accident, and was not a “trumped up charge” by as Julia would say, a corrupt police administration. If there is any satisfaction on my part its that the charges would indicate that maybe it was not a corrupt system -of which I have some responsibility for but simply a cowboy cop with questionable judgment. to say the least”






Dupuis Trial Friday
Posted on March 27, 2006 by Steven
http://www.hamtramckstar.com/ronald_dupuis_trial_friday/

Judge Keith Hunt from the 43rd District Court in will preside in Ronald Dupuis’ misdemeanor battery trial which is scheduled for Friday, March 31st at 8:30 AM in the 31st District Court, Hamtramck.

There was a huge amount of speculation about the specifics of this case and the outcome his highly anticpiated.

The Citizen reported on March 15th:

And there’s some critical facts working for Dupuis, such as the fact that his taser has a recording chip that says the taser was fired up for recharging for a mere one second prior to the alleged assault. That’s hardly proof of tasering his partner three times.

Which is very similar to our source who reported that Graham’s stroy was “physically impossible”.

—

Related Posts:

11/14/2005 Police officer uses a taser on his partner

12/12/2005 Dupuis pleads “not guilty” to tasering charge

1/20/2006 “Taser incident” update




*************


DUPUIS' LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:




OFFICER RONALD DUPUIS' [Former Ecorse Police Officer; Former Southgate Police Officer; Former Highland Park Police Officer; AND Former Hamtramck Police Officer; Current Highland Police Department]