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"I don't like this book because it don't got know pictures" Chief Rhorerer

“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”

“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”
“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”

Former Haines City Officer, Charged With Excessive Force, Says He Was Trying to Help Peers



By Jason Geary
THE LEDGER

BARTOW | A former Haines City police officer told jurors Wednesday that he was trying to help fellow officers when he attempted to kick a suspect being handcuffed.
Juan Caamano, 30, took the witness stand in his trial on charges of using excessive force. He faces one count of misdemeanor attempted battery.
Prosecutors could question Caamano this morning.
During Wednesday's opening statements, Assistant State Attorney Kyle McNeal described Caamano's actions as "pure, unjustified violence" and an unnecessary use of force against a defenseless suspect.
But Lawrence Collins, one of Caamano's lawyers, told jurors that his client's actions were reasonable, and officers are allowed to use physical force in the exercise of their duties.
On a large screen television, jurors watched video footage taken from a patrol vehicle's dashboard camera showing the actions of Caamano and other officers in the arrest of Mathew Manigault.
The footage was shown numerous times in the courtroom as witnesses were asked to explain details of what was happening.
Manigault, 66, was one of three people arrested on the night of Oct. 22, 2010, when a street party on Pearl Street in Lake Hamilton became too large and rowdy.
Lake Hamilton police officers requested help from the Haines City Police Department and the Polk County Sheriff's Office, reports state.
Officers testified the crowd became hostile when ordered to leave, and some people began throwing bottles and rocks toward officers and their patrol vehicles.
Officers testified that Manigault was taken into custody when he refused to leave the area.
Manigault was taken to the ground by a leg sweep from one officer, according to courtroom testimony.
Witnesses testified that officers trying to handcuff Manigault used knee strikes and a stun gun to get him to comply with commands to put his hands behind his back.
Caamano testified he came over to help the officers trying to take Manigault into custody.
Caamano said he attempted to kick Manigault's leg with the intention of hurting him so he would put his hands behind his back.
He said he missed with his kick and decided not to attempt another kick because he heard one officer yell that a stun gun was going to be used on Manigault.
Manigault was arrested on charges of disorderly intoxication and resisting officers without violence, but the State Attorney's Office later declined to prosecute him, records show.
Caamano was fired April 7, 2011, following an internal investigation that concluded he violated city policies. The State Attorney's Office then filed criminal charges against him.