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Amputee video leads to probe

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona prosecutors dropped disorderly conduct charges against a 15-year-old quadruple amputee after viewing video of a sheriff’s deputy wrestling him to the floor in a group home, the teen’s attorney said Friday.

Samuel Jurgena, a Pima County public defender, said his client went public with cellphone video of the September incident in Tucson to prompt changes in police treatment of youths in group homes.

The video was shot by another resident. A worker had called 911 after the 15-year-old allegedly kicked a trash can over and made a verbal threat, according to authorities.

The teen said he was already on the ground when police got there.

“Instead of getting down on his level to talk to him, the first interaction was the cop standing over him and yelling at him,” Jurgena said.

The start of the video shows the deputy tussling on the kitchen floor with the boy, who is screaming and cursing. The deputy then uses his body to pin the teen on his side. After about two minutes, the officer gets up. He then talks to the teen, telling him to “shut the hell up.”

The boy did not suffer any physical injuries.

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