A video has surfaced that is bringing into question the use of force displayed by two Lancaster deputies, one of whom can be seen throwing a woman suspect to the ground and then pepper-spraying her.
Tom Yu, the lawyer representing the deputy who threw the suspect, told KNX News in order to understand why such force was used, context is key.
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Yu said the deputies were made aware the man and woman seen in the video were the suspects of an emergency call of assault and theft. In such a situation, standard practice is to detain everyone pending an investigation.
The video shows that the male suspect was in handcuffs, but the woman was still unrestrained.
Yu claims, "When my client approaches her... if you look at the body-worn camera very, very carefully, you can see her throw her left hand in a jab-like manner towards my client, and that's about a second and a half before the takedown."
Though it is not clear that the 'jab' was ever thrown, the woman is brought to the ground by the officer. While on the ground, the deputy can be heard telling the suspect that she would be punched in the face if she did not comply.
He said that because his client did not kick, tase, or strike the suspect, it would not be considered excessive force in this case.
When KNX's Charles Feldman asked if the deputy's threat of physical violence was considered protocol, Yu, a former sheriff's deputy of 14 years himself, said, "It's protocol for this kind of situation."
Yu goes on to say, "In the use of force spectrum in the sheriff's department, you're allowed to use your fist to punch a suspect that's assaultive or high risk."
While some might argue that the suspect was not a high risk - being of a certain age - and many protested outside the grocery store calling the situation racially motivated, Yu said, "You have to understand, deputies don't distinguish gender, age. They distinguish whether somebody is being combative or are they going to get hurt."
Further, Yu says that by labeling his client a racist, it prevents people from looking at the facts.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna has said he is disturbed by what he saw on the video and vowed there will be a full and fair investigation.
Yu disagrees with Sheriff Luna's evaluation of the video, saying, "I respectfully disagree with that. I don't even think the sheriff has been to Lancaster."
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