A man who was seen on video being stunned and punched by Baytown police has retained a nationally known civil rights attorney in his case.
Kedric Crawford, 45, spoke with lawyer Ben Crump outside of the Harris County civil courthouse on Thursday, detailing the events of the July 6 encounter with police.
"I'm gracious to God that I'm still alive," Crawford said.
The arrest of Crawford, of Orange, left him hospitalized for injuries to his face. He showed reporters a bruise on his face while standing next to the family of Pamela Turner, who was fatally shot by a Baytown police officer on May 13.
Police encountered Crawford just before midnight in a parking lot in the 6400 block of Garth Road. They asked to search his car. In body camera footage, the officer is heard saying the car had been at the gas station for "quite a while" and was deemed suspicious.
Crawford told officers there were no drugs or weapons in the vehicle and gave permission to search it, the video shows. Crawford appeared calm as he was peppered with questions, according to one one clip in the video. The video cuts out, and another scene moments later shows Crawford questioning how intently the officers were combing through his vehicle.
"Ain't nothing to it, man. No need to be tripping or nothing," the officer said, according to the video. "You're nervous. I'm seeing nervous behavior. You gave us consent to search"
Crawford asked when he was free to leave and the officer said, "Whenever."
The officer conducting the search then waved something to his partner and Crawford's arms were immediately pulled behind him to start the arrest. The arresting officer told him to comply or "I'll freakin' drop you," without saying what was found. Police later said "several small pieces of plastic bag" containing pills had been found in the trunk.
The video shows the officer shoving Crawford against the vehicle as he struggled to handcuff him. One hand was restrained, but Crawford allegedly began pulling away and was tackled to the ground.
An officer then used a Taser on the partially handcuffed Crawford as he questioned what was happening. Authorities said the stun gun did not appear to have an effect on him, but the video showed him bellowing in pain.
In audio from the footage, with the camera obscured, an officer can be heard continuing to tell Crawford to put his hands behind his back as more sirens approached the scene. At some point during the arrest, police said, one of the officers "delivered a series of elbow strikes and a closed fist strike" in an attempt to disorient him, but that moment is not apparent in the footage.
An officer can also be heard saying that they had found "a bunch of pills individually packaged."
Crawford said that the pills were antibiotics.
Crawford has been charged with assault on a public servant for allegedly scratching one of the officers with his fingernails, court records show.
Police spokesman Lt. Steve Dorris said the officers have not been placed on administrative leave.
"Even though Mr. Crawford has yet to file an official complaint, Chief (Keith) Dougherty has asked our Internal Affairs Division to initiate an investigation into the matter."
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