Clifford Haines, 72, filed a suit Monday after his attorney posted video of him being swarmed by five deputies and slamming him to the ground
A Philadelphia lawyer is suing a group of court officers for allegedly fracturing his shoulder and slamming him on the floor during what he says was a wrongful arrest.
Clifford Haines filed suit Monday and his attorneys posted a video of the August 22 arrest that shows five sheriff’s deputies swarm the 72-year-old after what appears to be an argument near the Philadelphia courthouse’s metal detectors.
According to Haines, the video contradicts statements made by a spokeswoman that he hit the deputy and resisted arrest, even though he was never criminally charged.
His lawyers say the arrest was unprovoked and excessive.
‘There is no reason to treat people like that, as if they’re the enemy,’ said Haines’ attorney Patricia V. Pierce.
She added that she believes this ‘really shows why members of the public … lack trust in law enforcement.’
According to Haines, the video contradicts statements made by a spokeswoman that he hit the deputy and resisted arrest
‘You have to ask yourself: If this can happen to this man in front of cameras, how is anybody else supposed to feel safe?’ she said, according to the Inquirer.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately return a voicemail seeking comment.
Haines approached the deputy because the officer was previously ‘rude’ to him, according to the lawsuit. The confrontation quickly escalated.
The deputy who Haines had issue with can be seen putting his hands on the lawyer’s chest but Haines quickly swipes it away.
‘There is no reason to treat people like that, as if they’re the enemy,’ said Haines’ attorney Patricia V. Pierce
The video shows officers rush Haines from all sides, with one deputy putting him in a headlock from behind and others pushing him onto the metal detector’s belt before Haines is thrown to the floor.
Haines also sued a sergeant who he said refused to switch his handcuffs from his back to the front of his body to ease the pain of his dislocated and fractured shoulder, according to the lawsuit.
‘It’s just completely unnecessary,’ Pierce said.
None of the officers were identified in the lawsuit but Pierce plans to learn their names during the course of the suit so that they can be added to it.
Haines is a former Philadelphia prosecutor and has served as president of the state’s bar association. He was not criminally charged in the incident.
The attorney was treated at Hahnemann University Hospital, according to his complaint, and he claims to have needed physical therapy.
Filed with the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, the suit ask for an unspecified amount of damages and claims assault and battery, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress.