Black Soldier Says he Was Beaten by Milwaukee Police - On Break from Iraq
Saturday, April 9, 2005 at 10:42PM
TheSpook
A soldier who said he was beaten by
Milwaukee police met with the district attorney Monday. Army Spc.
Charles Griffin Jr. (pictured) said police threw him to the ground,
handcuffed him and beat him last July. Police said they were called to
the scene because Griffin was firing a gun in the air, and once they
arrived, Griffin resisted arrest. Griffin said he has several scars, a
gauge in his head and a fractured arm as a result of the alleged
beating. Monday's meeting with the district attorney was more of an
informational session. The Fire and Police Commission will decide at a
later date whether charges should be filed against the officers
involved. Griffin returned to active duty Monday shortly after his
meeting with the district attorney. Griffin said he was out with
friends when four plain-clothed detectives showed up. He said he
tried to leave but was attacked by the officers, thrown to the ground
and handcuffed before he knew what was happening. Griffin admitted he
had been drinking with his friends; it was a final farewell before
leaving the next day to return to his unit in Iraq. But he denied doing
anything to interfere with the officers.[more]