Clinton Grimsley (2020)
Overview
On April 11, 2020, officers were dispatched to Grimsley's house on reports that he was setting fires and beating on his porch. The initial officers arrived and Grimsley calmed down until the officers began to handcuff him. Grimsley ran away.[1]
Kennedale Texas Police Department Officer Christoper Kjelsen arrived, and ordered Grimsley to the ground at gunpoint. Grimsley complied. Grimsley claims that Kjelsen ran up and kicked him in the head. Kjelsen claims to have tripped and fallen on Grimsley.[1]
Minutes later, when Grimsley was struggling with two officers, Mansfield Texas Police Department Sergeant Brian Raines arrived and began to hit Grimsley in the face with his flashlight.[1]
Grimsley was charged with assault on a peace officer, evading arrest, and resisting arrest.[1]
Grimsley claimed to have suffered several lacerations to his face and head, a fractured left orbital floor, and permanent scarring.[1]
In April 2022, Grimsley filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming the use of excessive force.[1]
The charge of assaulting a peace officer was dismissed, and Grimsley was sentenced to 150 days in jail on the other two charges.[1]
On June 13, 2022, Kjelsen claimed that the use of force was reasonable as Grimsley had refused to comply, fought with officers, and attempted to take Kjelsen's Taser and handgun. Kjelsen claimed to be entitled to qualified immunity.[1]
On June 13, 2022, Raines admited to hitting Grimsley in the head with this hand and his flashlight, but denied violating Grimsley's rights. Raines claimed to be entitled to qualified immunity.[1]
Video
The incident was captured on vehicle dash-cam and body-worn cameras.[1]
Officers Involved
References
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