Deputies in Florida Dump Paralyzed Man From His Wheelchair
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TAMPA, Fla. — Four sheriff’s deputies have been suspended after purposely tipping a paralyzed man out of his wheelchair onto a jailhouse floor, authorities said.
Surveillance tapes from January 29 shows Hillsborough County deputy, Charlette Marshall-Jones, 44, dumping Brian Sterner out of his wheelchair and searching him after he was brought in on a warrant after a traffic violation. Mr. Sterner, 32, said when he was taken into a booking room and told to stand up, Ms. Jones grew agitated when he told her that he could not. Ms. Jones has been suspended without pay, and Sergeant Gary Hinson, 51, Corporal Steven Dickey, 45, and Corporal Decondra Williams, 36, have also been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation, sheriff’s spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. “The actions are indefensible,” Chief Deputy Jose Docobo said. “Based on what I saw, anything short of dismissal would be inappropriate.”
