OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who is on leave for the second time this year over excessive force complaints said in his report on the latest incident that he hit a man with his baton only after he appeared to physically resist arrest.
Acting on an open records request from The Associated Press, the patrol Friday released Trooper Daniel Martin's narrative of Kristopher Douglas' Oct. 3 arrest in Holdenville on an accusation of obstructing police.
In July, Martin received a five-day suspension without pay after scuffling with a paramedic during a traffic stop involving an ambulance. A cell phone video of that scuffle was widely distributed on the Internet, and after initially refusing, the patrol released the dashboard camera video taken from the trooper's cruiser.
In the latest incident, Douglas has complained about the baton blow and the actions of another trooper he said put a knee on his back. Martin and the other trooper, Tommy Allen, remain on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
Martin said in his report that Douglas, 28, of Holdenville, disobeyed four requests to move back from the scene of a traffic stop where the two troopers were working and appeared to take a fighting stance before Allen put Douglas in a neck hold.
"Trooper Martin delivered one baton strike to Douglas' left thigh in order for him to comply with commands and not resist," Martin wrote in the report.
Allen then put Douglas on the ground and handcuffed him, according to the report.
Martin said Douglas was sweating and clenching his teeth and that he feared the man may have been intoxicated and preparing to fight.
After his arrest, Douglas said "he would not normally interfere with a traffic stop and realized that he made a mistake and should have listened to commands to step back," Martin said.
Douglas has told Oklahoma City television station KWTV that he was just trying to go inside a friend's house when troopers pulled up to handle a traffic stop and ended up arresting him.
Capt. Chris West, a patrol spokesman, said dashboard camera video from this incident in Holdenville — about 75 miles southeast of Oklahoma City — will be released once the agency's internal review is complete.
State News
Report released on excessive force complaint
- State News
-
-
Insurance department apologizes for offensive language in email
The Oklahoma Insurance Department on Thursday apologized for what it described as “an unauthorized draft of an e-mail” that contained “offensive and unacceptable language” while promoting an upcoming tornado summit.
-
Santorum’s Oklahoma visit raises interest among voters
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s rising star in the Republican presidential race may be translating into renewed interest among Oklahoma voters.
-
The great debate over fracking
The nation’s long-term energy future offers no free lunches or gain without pain, two geoscientists said Tuesday in a University of Tulsa debate on the merits of hydraulic fracturing.
-
Oklahoma Senate Republicans release legislative agenda, goals include income tax cut
Senate Republicans released a legislative agenda Tuesday similar to that of Gov. Mary Fallin, but short on details.
-
WPX reports proved reserves grew 9 percent for year
Tulsa-based oil and gas producer WPX Energy Inc. reported Monday that total proved reserves at year’s end grew 9 percent over 2010.
-
Tribal leaders respond to request to end lawsuit
Any realistic hope Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin had leaders of two southeastern Oklahoma Indian tribes would acquiesce to her request to drop a lawsuit over water rights were dashed Monday evening.
-
Oklahoma Legislature: Pair is again filing bills
The only two lawmakers who didn’t introduce any legislation last year have returned to the Capitol this year with plenty of offerings.
-
Lawmakers talk taxes
For the Oklahoma Legislature, the only certainty in 2012 is that tax policy will be the focus for much of the session that starts Monday. -
Family of man who committed suicide in jail files lawsuit
One and a half years after their son died in the Payne County Jail, Ron and Thora duBois have filed a federal lawsuit against county officials and the corporation that provides health care to county jail inmates.
-
Oklahoma DHS director resigns effective Feb. 29
In a tear-filled statement, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard Hendrick announced Tuesday he would be stepping down from the agency Feb. 29.
- More State News Headlines
-
Insurance department apologizes for offensive language in email
