Youngstown cop beat me, paralyzed man says

A few questions here:

They charged him with driving under suspension. Could this man have been driving considering his handicap?

Was there really ever a brother who was driving?

Did they find a cell phone on him?
If he had a cell phone, why did his brother leave to find a pay phone?

Is there proof that any tow trucks were called/dispatched from a pay phone or by his brother?

Did this guy and/or his wife have a criminal record, weapons charges, voilent histories?

I am all for officers protecting themselves and taking every precaution to do so. I am not for officers brutalizing citicens.

I think there is more to this story than what we are reading here. I tend to put my confidence in the officer even with out having heard his story because there are too many holes in this guys side to really consider it rock solid.

Wow, I think this guy watches too many movies. What a ridicilous story. It has more holes than swiss cheese.lol.

The man sounds creditable,I believe the cop just took the word of the tow-truck driver and rushed to judgement. The driver of the truck should hold some responsibility too. As for the cop that makes Youngstowns Finest to apear out-of-control, his badge should be melted. Yes- The victim will have a Two-Wheeled Cadillac, and a gold cain when this investigation is complete.

@ImUrPO

Not so fast,..

I say let the investigation play out here. Because via angle one can deduce possible guilt or innocence either way here.

WOW!!! The ignorance in this town never ceases to amaze!!! I cannot believe some of the comments I've read here. Does anyone wait for the facts of the case before passing judgement anymore?? If the situation was reversed, and the driver were white and the officer black, you people would be screaming to high heaven. You'd have the victim cannonized by noon, and the officer fired, or your preference, lynched by 12:30. Since when is someone guilty until proven innocent? The cop isn't on any sort of leave, he has lost nothing. Why not wait for the investigation? ImUrPO is a really good example of the overt racism that is the norm in Youngstown.

@Reader

Exactly,..

To include for the accuser to have requested such conditional help and not have PD called. While he sat in a wrecked and disabled vehicle at night, alone and in a desolate area reeks of one seismic question,.. Why?

See things like this can divide a city by muddying up community relations with cops as well as race relations. For either to lie isn't acceptable and whoever is lying needs to be severely dealt with.

Where to deduce beyond a reasonable doubt via preponderance of the initial circumstantial evidence.

Either there's an off the hinges cop on the beat. Or the guy in the accident with a record of inability to drive or maintain license got caught again.

I mean what would be the cops reasoning? He was out looking to quit his job and opted to get fired by beating up a paraplegic?

Or is the angle the cop is so unfit for duty that he jumped on the golden opportunity to cuss out and beat up on an ethnic paraplegic?

Also was there a wheelchair anywhere in the vehicle? Could that stick been used to depress the pedals to operate the accelerator and brake?

Sounds as though that black stick found that may have been handled in the tow drivers view. Looked like what could been a rifle in length and color. But was in this fellows possession operationally used as a vehicle pedal aide.

As a paraplegic he couldn't use it as a cane to self ambulate and thus it should have been photographed and taken as evidence.

Along with it yet to be documented if his brother is avowing, attesting or alleging he was at the wheel during the wreck. For the sake of impartial fluidity they'd both better have a BAT on record.

Where having left a paralyzed individual there alone sounds suspect. That's aside from I have no idea where there's still any operational payphones anywhere in the city,.. good luck on that one alone.

That's aside from who was physically found in the vehicle, under the wheel and with a history of illegal driving and a drug history has to be duly noted,.. Because HE was the one seeking help in a wrecked vehicle not wanting the cops to be informed.

Where to say he was snatched, tossed around and struck in the mouth so many times and then chocked.

In and of itself sounds either horrific if the cop did all that. But just as horrid if this guy is lying to such a degree on the cop.

He admits to being found under the wheel and requesting PD not be called. Which doesn't just raise questions and looks and sounds as it does for nothing.

Winey....tsk tsk....NOBODY said anything about race, that is, until you showed up. What is being stated is that the "accuser's" story sounds like one of nothing more than excuses for why he was doing everything he was doing, AND THEN, alleging to have been beaten up by the police. Now of course you have to say it is racism, when in fact, you are being racist by assuming the presumably white officer is guilty. I will be willing to bet that this case goes away really quickly and NOT because of your race angle. But because he appears to by a lying low life trying to make a buck off of the police who BUSTED him living his daily criminal life. Lastly....THE RACE CARD IS FOR LOSERS, GET OFF OF IT!

Did a doctor check him over for any signs of a beating ?

"Daniel asked the driver for assistance, but said he did not need to have the police called."

There is no need for the police if you are driving under suspension .

Who owned the SUV and did it have hand controls for a paraplegic ? Did they test him for drugs ?

Sounds like Willie Daniel has anti social tendencies . His actions seem to indicate that he was having a temper tantrum . YPD doesn't have a history of abusing handicapped people . Daniel's accusations need to be fully investigated and charges brought against him if they are false .

@Stan A Dr. report is necessary, however, why was mrs. Daniels harrassed? a phone call had to be made by the other driver. More-than-likely the other person was under suspension, or no insurance,, where the heck is he?? that probably is the reason for not wanting a police report. I really don't blame the cop for being cautious, especially after being informed of an alleged gun. But at the same time, he should have had patience, and listen to the paraplegic. There was no reason to punch the man.

Rush To Judgement: The cop had already assumed Daniels had a gun, and that was incorrect. Secondly, no one wrecks a car and just sit there unless they are injured or crippled. Who was the car Registered to? Let's find him.

This officer ought to be dismissed for his abuse of a handicapped citizen. The charges on the wife should also be dropped because she did the right thing in standing between the officer and her husband. She had every reason to believe that this officer intended to do her husbamd more bodily harm.

Officers like this guy should be dismissed immediately. They do not rank among the officers who have taken an oath to protect our communities. Acutually, better psychological evaluations should be done; who among the most healthy would have acted so violently against a man in a wheelchair?

@wineywoman

Understood,..

However, and most unfortunate that sort of mentality goes universally across the spectrum of race in regards to the smallest minds that make up a community.

It's not a White vs Black, Latino, Asian, Arabic or any other race one can think of.

To launch a guilt before a review is performed and completed campaign based on race, gender, faith, age or build. Duly reveals the state of the individual[s] announcing their being unfit to matter either way a verdict goes.

However, to take the bait by joining the squealing sow in the slop troth only ensures that pig doesn't dine alone.

No matter who tries it be it sexist, racist, faith based flavored hate or whatever. It's always best if you're going to engage them. Take no offense while presenting them a doggie bag of difference that will serve as some " I'm telling you so ".

That they'll grasp as a tote for them to dutifully take their droppings where they can dine alone.

They serving rule is if they're ordering Shish may they eat shish. But do your part to ensure they dine on their derelict DooDoo for dysfunctional dummies alone.

@FifthAve

Are you serious?

What on earth would substantiate all the actionable measures you're contending?

I mean do all someone need is a cane, wheelchair, seeing eye dog, any other impairment or a bandage to confirm their absolute innocence to you?,.. not for me it doesn't.

Where by disposition regardless of situation or investigative discovery. It's apparent that for you to instantaneously determine guilt and innocence.

All the handicapped has to do for you is point their finger at someone to attest them having accosted him to suffice as conclusive evidence.

Not just taking it as blind fact but serve somehow as enough evidence to cast guilt upon the accused?

What is it that somehow being a cop makes him guilty?

Are you just allowing your sympathy for the handicapped to disable your thought process?

Or are you just not fond or respectful of cops? Or lastly does race trump any and all sensibility in your process of determining guilt or innocence?

I don't agree with your knee jerk suggestions because I want to get to the bottom of who's the misfit in this ordeal.

However, for you to have taken one side of this story in such a hook line and sinker fashion.

Absolutely without hashing out facts is either amazing, egregious or asinine,.. now what'll it be Hmmm?

Ya, check Willie's record... Drugs, Concealed Weapons, its all public knowledge... The alleged victim sounds like a real stand up guy (no pun intended)

5th
Forty years as a Teacher and you never heard of "Due process" , wow, you must have taught at a Youngstown school.

Police shouldn't be investigating allegations like this themselves . There ought to be an Independent Commission .

I think everyone needs to wait for all details to come out. Because right now alot of yall are somewhat trying to jump to defend the officer. I will not defend anyone until more facts come out .Shouldn't there be a video of this incident? I'm not sure if the cruisers have camera's on them like they should in this city.

Nunya comin' in with the much needed heavy hitting logic! Thank you! If indeed there were an officer that would abuse anyone, especially a disabled person, then he is the lowest form of life. However, to assume police are ALWAYS guilty is just as bad as assuming the person in trouble is ALWAYS guilty (and race matters not). Facts....nothing more, nothing less, is what are required. He who is found to be lying should be punished. I dare the justice system to hammer this guy if he is falsley accusing this officer of misdeeds. Those of you who have never walked a mile in the shoes of a L.E.O., can never imagine the amount of false allegations that are made and never made public.

Wow, all the comments. It's hearsay right now, he said she said. Wait till the facts come out and then go from there. The only ones at the scene no what exactly happened. Let it play out and go from there.

Why doesn't everyone just wait until investigation is complete before declaring what happenend?

Just because Willie has been an accomplished low life in the past doesn't mean he did something wrong here. Maybe, but not necessarily.

And just because the policeman was portrayed negatively in the article doesn't mean he did anything wrong .

Watch an episode of COPS and see what they have to deal with every day.

I can hear Willie singing "Pants On The Ground". Sing it, my man.

Where was Daniel going that he was in such a hurry there was an accident? Maybe he was late for work.

oh good lord, this "race card" game on vindy.com is ridiculous! I have an idea, if you want to scream racisim (from either point of view) post your name with every remark and stop hiding behind a computer and inciting negativity. I'm sick of the ignorant race games. This is not a race thing! There were at least 3 officers on scene, were all of them white? Do any of you "race carders" know the answer to this? It isn't a black or white thing, it is a human thing!

@Reader Noone on this site knows what happened to say it was race related or even a hate crime to disabilled people. There should of been a video from the cruiser but it's obvious not all the cruisers around here are equiped right like they should. Because this accusation wouldn't be one if it was on tape they would already be in court

But alot of the police around here and other areas dont do their jobs right, not saying all because there are some who take their jobs seriously with everyone no matter their age, race,and mental state etc...

It is possible this man could be trying to get one over on the city police, it's also possible he could of been mistreated for whatever reasons the officer had against him. With the story so far we all could go back and forth with what doesn't sound right for both parties in this situation because all the facts are not on the table and none of us was there.

@nunya, I agree that there are a ton of facts not yet available about THIS story. My most recent reply refers only to those who come on this site and try to find any story they can try to get everyone all up in arms about race. It is ignorant and I'm tired of them not participating in conversations about the article but turning to race as the answer and fault to every story published. If they feel so strongly about what they are saying (when spewing hate) then be proud and put their name to their beliefs!There is only one race, the human race! There are good and bad people of all colors, backgrounds and walks of life.

@Reader I can agree with that alot of people on here start putting to much on races, sterotypical stuff, and political views alot and sometimes it might not even be relevant.

Driving under suspension and probably no insurance? Simply put an arrestable offense. If there is an accident who pays? every single person who does pay for insurance. I don't care who you are or what you look like everyone should be held accountable for their actions. Let the investigation go through and see who is right or wrong.

As far as the comments about racism on the Cops part everyone is wrong that assumes that the officer is white, if my memory serves me right I believe that he is an American Indian. (Talk about being a minority in this area). Officer Joliff is a good Officer who is very intelligent and well educated. Please let the investigation take its course. This guy is going after the headlines. It is a common tactic for the accused to attack the Officer if you cant attack the facts of the underlying crime.

He also could use the stick to drive the car.

This story stinks! His brother left the scene to call for help. WHO LEAVES HIS PARALYZED BROTHER ALONE....IN AN ACCIDENT? He said he "slid" into the driver's seat to flag down a tow truck..... In my experience, you can see someone in the front of a vehicle, whether it be the driver or passenger side. My guess is that he and his brother were up to no good. There was a report of a gun on scene. The officer cannot take any chances!!! Good work Y.P.D.

Willie Daniel was previously convicted on a concealed weapons charge.. drug abuse.. I dont feel sorry for him.. If you live a clean life then the police officer approaching your car won't be in fear of his own..

Lets see......

-PARALIZED guy, who has a suspended license, DRIVING using a stick doesnt want the police called.

-"brother" left to "call" the police yet no calls were recieved and did said brother return to the scene?

-PARALIZED guy driving with a stick wrecks vehicle and probably smashes his face against the steering wheel.

-tow truck driver reports seeing a gun.

-police arrive on scene and hold guy at gun point due to reports of a gun.

-police remove suspect from vehicle due to possible gun.

-police DO NOT move paralized guy again due to them not being medical professionals. If the police would've moved him again im sure they would be suing for somehow injuring him more for being moved. Police are trained to let medical staff handle this.

-crazy irate wife arrives on scene acting like a typical native. Shes arrested for making the situation worse and not listening to officers.

People need to take responsibilty for their actions and not make excuses and try to shift the blame to someone else. This guy was driving on a suspended license and is PARALIZED but thought using a stick for the gas and brake pedals would be a good idea. If these allegations are even taken seriously ill be appalled at the system for allowing someone like this to waste tax payers money.

@ImUrPO How do you know what the accuser does every day? I never called you a racist, and the contraction that indicates you are is spelled you're, not your which means belonging to. As far as being a moron is concerned, you seem to be the authority on the subject. I merely state that this area is very divided along racial lines, and the last time I checked everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, even "morons"

Get REAL, if you're paralized from the waist down, It's impossible to use a stick to drive.
Please try driving your car with a stick.
The mans past has nothing to do with this situation. The cop has to charge him with something, wait and you will see the driving charges will be dropped.
Please let me know if you sucessfully drove your car with a stick.

It amazes me how some people on this site is such an expert saying what happened that day like they was there.

Actually its not impossible. I've seen it, twice. How difficult do you think it is to press two pedals with a stick in one hand while you turn the steering wheel with the other. If you cant accomplish that I dont know how you figured out how to use a computer.

NorthSider: If you are really from the North Side maybe you remeber a certain paralized gentleman that lived on Otis that DID drive with a large stick, and was repeatedly stopped by the cops for driving without a license. Anyone with a purpose and the will to try it can accomplish great things!!

@Northsider

I do believe it is possible and even likely that this guy was driving with a stick. Why does this seem so unlikely to you? People who lose one ability become more determined and gain strength in using the remaining abilities.

Look at Willie's SUV . It is a mess ! Has the city purchased him a van with hand controls and room for his wheelchair ? How about a cooler stocked with malt liquor ? Driving drunk again with that stick will put the public at risk .