Possible Police Abuse in Louisiana

By Steven Norris

M60o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Possible Police Abuse in Louisiana

Published: Mon, February 18, 2008 - 3:19 pm
Last Updated: Tue, February 19, 2008 - 12:17 pm

A police officer in Shreveport, LA has been terminated after an incident where a woman says she was beaten up. Angie Garbarino was taken in custody on suspicion of driving while under the influence last November. She insisted on making a phone call, and was argumentative as Officer Wiley Willis tried to read her rights. Garbarino gave the name of attorneys and another police officer she wanted to speak with. After a first confrontation with the Officer Willis, she tried to leave the room. That's when she was stopped and handcuffed. That's when things between the two heated up, the video shows Garbarino being pushed into a wall by the officer. She falls to the floor crying and screaming for Willis not to touch her. Garbarino was put in a chair, and continues to tell the officer to get away from her. When she tries to leave a second time, the officer grabs her by the arm and jerks her out of the view of the camera. when the video continues, Garbarino is back in the chair. Seconds later it appears that the video is turned off or covered up. Authorities do not know what happened during that period of time, or how long the camera was turned off. When the camera turns back on, Garbarino is lying on her side next to a pool of blood. Officer Willis turns her on her back and tells her "Lay down, don't move." Officer Wills leaves the room, and another officer enters to look at the injured woman, and then leaves. Some point later in time, emergency crews enter and Garbarino is taken away on a stretcher. Garbarino's attorney says she suffered a broken nose, a severe cut on her forehead, two broken teeth and bruises on her arms and shoulder. Pictures taken after the incident show Garbarino with two black eyes, and cuts and abrasions all over her face. Officer Wiley Willis was terminated for what authorities say was his handling of the incident. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Garbarino's injuries. Garbarino faces trial on charges of DWI and hit and run driving. Her attorney says she plans to fight them in court.

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well let’s stick to the facts the video showed her being pushed into the wall by the officer. The video camera is there for a reason and turned off for a reason. Soooo, there was some form of abuse here by the officer and the bodily contact rule was definitely broken.

Posted by sweetnsour on 02/19/08 - 1:09 am • Report Abuse

How do we know what happened? She probably ran into the wall herself. What a crock!

Posted by Lindie on 02/18/08 - 6:21 pm • Report Abuse

The police officer should have handled this incident a lot better, but this loud mouthed drunk is also being very obnoxious, also charged with hit and run, doesn’t say much for her character.

Posted by atbman on 02/18/08 - 4:31 pm • Report Abuse

It’s a sad world when I fear getting pulled over, not because of having to pay a ticket or being late for work, but because so many law inforcement officers abuse their power like this.

Posted by newsreader on 02/18/08 - 3:53 pm • Report Abuse