The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". Stephanie Bottom. 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Read More: Police video shows officer using stun gun on handcuffed man. Rowan County Sheriffs Office and Salisbury Police Department must hold the individuals in the video accountable. San Francisco's woke public defender is slammed for condemning plans to deport opioid pushers, Do you wish you were taller? Stephanie Bottom filed a federal lawsuit against NC police claiming officers violated her rights by using excessive force. When she realized officers were following her, she tried to pull over 'somewhere safe where Id be around lights and people,' but she alleges spike strips were used to stop her car instead. Did you encounter any technical issues? Bottom, who is Black, contended in the lawsuit that the officers from the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriffs office used excessive force, in (Hicks, Samantha), Case ASSIGNED to JUDGE WILLIAM L. OSTEEN, JR and MAG/JUDGE JOI ELIZABETH PEAKE. The force applied by the officers caused Bottoms shoulder to pop, tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury, according to the lawsuit. Email Address Here. After allegedly pulling her out of her car by her hair, Bottom was left on the ground. The lawsuit alleges that earlier in the stop, Barkalow also said Bottom was a'f*****g retard' and a 'douche bag.'. Why didn't you stop?" She pleaded guilty to failure to heed blue lights and the other charges against her were dismissed. Access this case on the North Carolina Middle District Court's Electronic Court Filings (ECF) System. STEPHANIE BOTTOM: Defendant: DEPUTY MARK BENFIELD, OFFICER DEVIN BARKALOW, OFFICER ADAM BOUK, CITY OF SALISBURY, SHERIFF KEVIN of Idaho. 8. 8. a librarian from Georgia has filed a civil rights lawsuit against police officers over a traffic stop gone awry. We are all complicit in its harms. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed, attorney Ian Mance told the Observer. Bottom claims at this point she was on her way to a funeral before saying that officers were hurting her shoulder. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes WebStephanie Monroe in North Carolina. When they grabbed me and threw me to the ground, thats when the real terror struck me that Im going to die.. I did nothing wrong.. North Carolina the only state allowing unnecessary killing of sea turtles (3) 'Pagan' bike gang leader in N. Carolina sentenced to prison (3) Deputy cleared in shooting death of Gloucester woman (3) I was shaking in fear, Bottom said in an interview with the Charlotte Observer. Nationwide Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year old Black woman from Raleigh, North Carolina, has filed a lawsuit claiming that police officers used excessive force on Bottom then tells the officers she has a shoulder injury and is in pain while handcuffed, leading her to ask that the cuffs be removed. Her requests for medical assistance were ignored even though she said she was in pain. Law enforcements handling of the situation was captured on body cameras, and images of their initial approach were included as exhibits in the lawsuit. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". Aristocrat Constance Marten and Sex-Offender Mark Gordon's Missing Baby Found Dead in Countryside, Cops Say, GOP Legislator Introduces Bill That Would Eliminate Florida's Democratic Party, Florida Student, 17, Who Attacked Teacher to Be Tried as Adult, Woman Convicted in Connection to Lady Gaga Dognapping Sues Singer for $500,000 Reward Money, 5 Ballet Dancers Seriously Injured in California Hit-and-Run Car Crash Strive to Heal to Return to the Stage, 17-Year-Old Michigan Boy Slain by 13-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old Who He Offered Ride Home on Cold Night: Police. Select this result to view Stephanie Leigh Walls's phone number, address, and more. Bottom was peaceful at all times, and officers knew they were dealing with an elderly woman, said Ian Mance, a lawyer with EmancipateNC who is representing Bottom, according to CBS News. Black librarian Stephanie Bottom pulled by hair, injured by police in Salisbury, North Carolina, lawsuit says. were aware of her general age based on their radio communications. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. At one point, she begged for medical attention, as well for an opportunity to call her family. Officers with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office and the Salisbury Police Department were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Bottom, alleging she was driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the suit. An elderly black librarian was viciously yanked out of her car by her hair by a white officer and held at gunpoint during a traffic stop in North Carolina, newly released bodycam footage shows. The grandmother of five says she was on her way to her aunts funeral when she was pulled over for allegedlygoing 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. Unprofessional conduct, inappropriate comments, and excessive force use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships. 2001-2023 Dante Lee International | All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. Stephanie F. Newby is a Neurologist in Charlotte, NC. Browse Locations. Once on the ground, officers twisted Bottom's arm behind her back, causing her 'shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury,' the lawsuit said. Find Stephanie Bottoms's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading online directory for contact information. Stephanie Bottom, of Atlanta, Georgia, was driving to the funeral of her great aunt in May 2019 when she was seen by police allegedly going 80mph in a 70mph zone. When Bottom didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body camera that Bottom was a "f**king retard" and a "douche bag," according to the body camera footage. Bottom begins crying and asks what she's done wrong as officers tell her she is under arrest, although it turns out she was never formally arrested. Johnston County Schools phase in weapons detection system, Duke Energy Carolinas seeks large rate increases for gas costs, Police salaries not helping fix staffing shortage challenges, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. When she was asked to stand but couldnt because of the pain in her shoulder, officers forcefully picked her up by her arms, inflicting more injury to her shoulder. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Im on my way to a funeral, my aunts funeral, she sobs. (Garland, Leah), Motion Referred: RE: #3 APPLICATION to Proceed IFP to MAG/JUDGE JOI ELIZABETH PEAKE. Play it now! Video footage captured by body cameras worn by the officers prove Bottoms claims of physical harm. By Stephanie Hubler | Feb. 23 Send She appeared in court for the traffic violations, pleaded responsible to failure to heed blue lights, and the other charges against her were dismissed, according to the lawsuit. Bottom wantspunitive damages, compensatory damages, attorneys fees and other costs. Another officer involved in the traffic stop, only identified as Officer Smith, pulled ahead of Bottom and deployed spike strips that immediately immobilized her vehicle, the lawsuit says. Bottom pleaded guilty to failing to heed blue lights. In the footage, Bottom is seen screaming as Benfield, Barkalow, and Salisbury Police Officer Adam Bouk force her to lay face down on the ground, according to the lawsuit. A 68-year-old Black woman has filed a federal lawsuit after a violent interaction with North Carolina police during a traffic stop in May 2019. The officers are then seen pinning both of her arms behind her back to put handcuffs on Bottom. Bottom wasnt even arrested.. She then looked for a safe place to pull over until spike strips were deployed to stop her. The clip which has been released after Bottom filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday begins with Deputy Mark Benfield approaching Bottoms car with his gun drawn before grabbing her hair and dragging her to the ground. Officers had their sirens on for at least 10 minutes, according to body camera footage that is cited in the lawsuit and was reviewed by CNN. A black librarian was dragged by her hair and yanked out of her car at a traffic stop in North Carolina, newly released bodycam footage has revealed.Stephanie Bottom, then 66, was driving her car to Raleigh for her great aunts funeral on 30 May, 2019 when, Salisbury police and Rowan County sheriff deputies attempted to pull her over for Please go to our website under Attorney Information for a list of mediators which must be served on all parties. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. In a federal lawsuit, a 68-year-old Black librarian is accusing North Carolina law enforcement officers of using excessive force against her during a traffic stop. 6:10 AM EDT, Wed April 28, 2021, Police pull Black woman by hair, injure her shoulder in traffic stop. Stephanie Love, Age 45 Remove Record. Once it became clear they wanted her to pull over she was afraid and was looking for a safe place to pull over, Holmes told CNN in an email. As Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. Meanwhile, officers search her car, which Bottom alleges she didn't consent for, Officers are then seen using their force to get Bottom to put her arms behind her back. When Bottoms didnt immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body camera that Bottom was a f**king retard and a douche bag, according to the body camera footage. Rowan County Sheriffs Office and Salisbury Police Department must hold the individuals in the video accountable. In a statement cited in theGrio, President of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP chapter Gemale Black succinctly summarized the injustice inflicted on Stephanie Bottom: This week, we watched as a 2019 traffic stop video surfaced of officers from Rowan County Sheriffs Office and Salisbury Police Department using excessive force to arrest Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year-old Black librarian from AtlantaUnprofessional conduct, inappropriate comments, and excessive force use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. Her lawsuit was immediately referred to mediation due to local court rules, according to Law & Crime. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. Bottom had surgery to repair the tear, but she still cannot raise her left arm above her head. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a handful of dreads, saying at that point she earned it.. She was also unable to work for eight months following the injuries she suffered and still primarily uses her right arm to stack bookshelves, as she struggles to raise her left hand over her head. Close. Phone Number: In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.. WebStephanie Bottom is a 68-year-old black woman who is suing the North Carolina police for using excessive force during a traffic stop in May 2019. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. Bodycam footage from the incident shows officers approach Bottom's vehicle with guns drawn. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.. Benfield, Barkalow, and Bouk placed [Bottom] in handcuffs and secured her at the front of her vehicle prior to commencing their search of [Bottoms] vehicle and purse. We found 15 records for Stephanie Monroe in Huntersville, Fayetteville and 12 other cities in North Carolina. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Web22 records for Stephanie Bottoms. The No. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. One of the officers tells Bottom that three police cruisers had been behind her for about 10 miles trying to get her to pull over for allegedly driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone and failing to heed officers sirens. An officer tells her she refused to stop for law enforcement. As Rowan County Sheriffs Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. WebFound 17 records for Stephanie Austin in North Carolina. The lawsuit filed Wednesday by Stephanie Bottom of Atlanta says she posed no threat to officers from the Salisbury Police Department and the Rowan County DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody', How safe is your neighborhood? Close. The 68-year-old says initially did not realize that cops were trying to stop her, and that their aggressive actions when she pulled over left her with injuries including a tornrotator cuff. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. When officers approached her car, their firearms were drawn. At the time of the search, [Bottom] was at the front of her vehicle and unable to reach her vehicle or purse, the lawsuit alleges. NC governor calls for release of bodycam video in Andrew Brown killing, Police video shows officer using stun gun on handcuffed man, 68-year-old woman sues NC police for violent traffic stop recorded on body camera, A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. Stephanie Bottom is suing the police over her arrest in May 2019 which left her with a torn rotator cuff. Officers forced her to lay face down on the ground and twisted her arm behind her back, causing her shoulder to pop, tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury, the lawsuit said, according to CNN. Stephanie Bottom was admittedly going 10 miles over the speed limit on May 30, 2019 in North Carolina. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Get a complete background report of Stephanie Austin at LocatePeople with phone, address, email, criminal, court and arrest records. 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