Confusion turns into violent traffic stop for deaf man
April 8, 2009
FORT WORTH - A deaf man ended up with a broken nose after he found himself in a struggle with a Fort Worth police officer.
While the incident happened over one year ago, the video that captured it was just released.
It began with Christopher Ferrell, 43, being pulled over in his maroon sedan for speeding.
Ferrell reached for his identification to inform the officer of his disability.
"He is deaf," said Paul Goetz, Ferrell's attorney. "He is hearing impaired."
But, Officer J.A. Miller said he was concerned Ferrell was reaching for a gun. Miller withdrew his gun, grabbed Ferrell, swung him around and slammed his head into the rear windshield.
"He was trying to show his identification to the officer so that the officer would know that he was simply unable to communicate with him on a normal basis," Goetz said.
Ferrell was then forced into the car.
"It did break his nose," Goetz said of the incident. "There was a lot of blood."
Fort Worth police did discipline Miller over the incident.
"He was suspended for two days without pay for rough handling Ferrell, and for bumping the back of his car," "Miller is currently appealing this decision."
"This isolated incident doesn't reflect the professional quality service that the Fort Worth Police Department provides to the citizens of Fort Worth," said Sgt. Pedro Criado, with the Fort Worth Police Department.
Sgt. Criado said officers now have access to language interpreters who can get to a scene within 30 minutes of a traffic stop.
While Fort Worth did not admit liability for the 2007 incident, the city decided Wednesday to pay $50,000 to Ferrell to stop a lawsuit that could have ended with a heftier price tag.
E-mail dmiles@wfaa.com
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