Note: there are 3 different videos included that show this incident.
On Friday May 4th, 2018 Sacramento police arrested a black man for leaving his car idling momentarily while he popped into a 7-11 to get a snack with his girlfriend. This occurred at 1199 43rd ave which is a predominantly black neighborhood in South Sacramento. Of course, that was not what the cop originally was berating the man for, but only came up with this charge after Craig Williams, (age 40) was dismissive of the cops complaint, and disrespected his Ahh-thor-a-tay! What was the cops original complaint? It was the rap music playing in the car with the window rolled down. (maybe it was playing “fuck the police”?)
In the surveillance video from the 7-11 you can see the cop walk past the Nova belonging to the victim when he suddenly stops and returns to the side of the car while beckoning to the man with his fingers to come outside. When the man comes outside to see what the big emergency was, the cop illegally enters the mans car, (in violation of his 4th amendment rights) and turns off the car, shutting off the offensive music. You can see, but not hear, the cop giving the man a lecture about other people not wanting to hear his shitty music. The man appears to be dismissive of the cop and returns inside the store because his money was left on the counter while he attended to this cops “emergency”.
The cop, now having had his butt hurt by this black man, proceeds back to his patrol car to drop off his recent purchase which includes a one lilter bottle of “Mutant”, which is Monster's version of Mountain Dew, a bag of Cheetos, and some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. This was obviously his “breakfast of champions”, as it was only 9:30 am.
After dropping off his diabetic coma inducing meal, he returns to exert his full Ahh-thor-a-tay upon this man by first demanding to see his I.D. As this is always step one of cop intimidation. The man refuses, stating that he had broken no law. But the cop was having none of this, as he pulled out of his ass, some obscure, 50 year old law against leaving your keys in your car. Obviously this is the first time that this has been brought up, as the man repeatedly says, “that has nothing to do with this.” (meaning their previous disagreement) he then asks again what he did illegal, to which the cop says, "you left your car running". The man replied “that's against the law to have your car running? I'm just asking.” This is when the cop calls for his buddies in Blue Isis to come to his aid, while the man proclaims that this cop is harassing him. (which of course he is.)
This is when the cop decides to go “hands on” in order to “detain” the man. (cop intimidation step 2)
when this does not work to make this man grovel at his feet, he proceed to try and trip him so that he can slam the guy on the ground to give him a little pain as a lesson. When that does not work, he slams him into the wall and then forces him to the ground. (by the way, the punishment for leaving your keys in the car is a fine of $47.50, not a trip to jail.) But that isn't what this is really about is it? He was charges with leaving his keys in the car, and resisting arrest. (for a non arrest-able offense )
Note: Before the release of these videos, police claimed that Mr. Williams was being “contacted for multiple violations” even though the only substantiated charge was leaving his keys in the car.
After a public outcry, and condemnation from the ACLU of Sacramento, the DA dismissed all charges.
▶️ DTube
▶️ IPFS