Video After The Jump
An Iowa woman is contemplating filing a civil suit against a Davenport police officer for beating her while she was being questioned for shoplifting.
Brandie Redell was caught stealing $300 worth of clothes from Von Maur Department Store on February 18. She and her 1-year old daughter were brought into a security office at the store where they were met by Officer Steve Crow and his partner.
While Redell was on the phone, Crow attacks her. He punches her several times in the face, leaving her with a swollen eye. She later had to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
In the just released surveillance video of the incident it's clear that the officer was the aggressor, but Crow wrote in his report that Redell "appeared willing to fight" and that "Brandie was biting my finger."
"I bit down because nothing else that I tried had worked," Redell told NBC Chicago.
Redell admits to stealing the clothes and has since pleaded guilty, however she feels strongly that the beating was a case of police brutality.
"[Shoplifting is] wrong, there's no reason for it. Whatever reason I give doesn't justify it," she said. "I just don't think that even though I did something wrong I deserve to be beat."
Crow and the other officer on the scene were disciplined but remain on the job. Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association wants further action taken against Crow.
"He has some kind of sanction, but he's still on the job. And I think it's really important to demand the same kind of accountability for him that she's facing for shoplifting accusations," Shaw said.
Redell and boyfriend James Gibson
Redell is working with former Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica's law firm and the civil rights group, Living and Driving While Black Foundation, on her possible lawsuit.
David Lowery
"Our position is no matter what Ms. Redell's criminal record states, no human being should be assaulted by Davenport Police, who are to serve and protect," David Lowery of L.D.W.P. told NBC Chicago.
Redell is scheduled to be sentenced August 23 in Scott County (Iowa) Court on a charge of misdemeanor shoplifting. She has two previous shoplifting convictions.
What do you think Officer Crow's punishment should be?
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