- Police Brutality Watch

Stanley Miller Charged With Evading Officers, Auto Theft

Prosecutors on Friday filed charges of auto theft and evading an officer against a man who was struck repeatedly with a flashlight during a videotaped arrest after an auto pursuit and foot chase. Stanley Howard Miller, 36, has been imprisoned on a parole violation since the June 23 arrest and his arraignment on the new charges will await a hearing on the parole matter, the district attorney's office said. The complaint asks for bail to be set at $150,000. If convicted, Miller could be sentenced to five years and eight months in prison. Miller, convicted twice previously for car theft and burglary, led police on a half-hour auto chase after they spotted him running a stop sign in a car that was reported stolen, authorities said. News helicopters videotaped the chase, which ended with Miller jumping out of the car and running along a flood control channel and then appearing to surrender to an officer who forced him to the ground. Miller was then swarmed by other officers, including Officer John J. Hatfield was seen striking him 11 times with a metal flashlight. [more

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Reporter Betty Pleasant (LA Wave) maintains that the beating was longer and even more viscious than what is shown on the tape. She claims to have an unedited version that continues for an additional 8 minutes. [more ]