Police Video Of Bloody Woman Investigated

La. Woman Claims She Was Beaten While Camera Was Turned Off During Interrogation

(CBS/AP)  The Caddo Parish district attorney and the U.S. Justice Department will investigate the case of a woman who is seen in a police department video lying in a pool of blood in an interrogation room, police chief Henry Whitehorn said Wednesday.

Angela Garbarino of Mooringsport has said she was beaten after her Nov. 17 arrest on a drunk driving charge. The attorney for Wiley Willis, the police officer who was fired Feb. 5 in connection with the case, has said through his attorney that Garbarino fell.

Willis has had two lawsuits filed against him in 2006, one by a mother who says the officer put a gun to her son's head, another by a woman who says she was arrested because she filed a complaint against Willis, reports CBS News' Early Show correspondent Jeff Glor.

Excerpts from a police videotape show Garbarino struggling with an officer in the interrogation room. But the camera was turned off for a time. When it was turned back on, Garbarino is seen on the floor in a pool of blood.

"I had an opportunity to view the tape. I was outraged at what I observed," Whitehorn said at a news conference at police headquarters. "I immediately ordered an internal affairs investigation. That investigation determined that numerous policy violations had occurred."

Garbarino, 42, said Willis, 30, tried to force her to take a breath test against her will and that he beat her after turning off the camera.

Willis' lawyer, Eron Brainard, was not immediately available for comment when called Wednesday by The Associated Press. He told The (Shreveport) Times that Willis did not beat Garbarino.

"After her refusal to take the breath test, officer Willis turned off and saved the videotape in accordance with normal practice," Brainard said in a story published Wednesday. "The suspect again tried to leave the room. In the process of (Willis) stopping her, she fell and injured herself."

Paramedics took her to LSU Hospital in Shreveport, where she was treated for a broken nose, a fractured cheek bone and bruises on various parts of her body. Two of her teeth were knocked out.

Lisa Bloom, legal analyst for The Early Show calls the situation "preposterous."

"If somebody slips and falls, they may bruise their wrist. They don't have two black and blue eyes, missing teeth and found lying down in a pool of their own blood," says Bloom.

Shreveport's police chief says he is outraged by what he saw on the tape, which is why he fired Willis, reports Glor.

But Willis has not been charged with any crime.

The police union has also come to Willis's defense, saying that the chief didn't follow protocol and the police officer's rights were violated, reports Glor.

Garbarino had been taken into custody for DWI testing after someone saw her crash her vehicle into other cars in a casino parking garage and a light pole on a city street, according to police.

Whitehorn said it is police policy for an officer to turn off the videotape of a sobriety test when testing is over and the officer is preparing to book the offender.

Policy will now be changed to where two police officers are in the room at all times, authorities said.

Whitehorn would not say whether he felt Garbarino fell or was thrown down. He also would not say whether he felt the officer should have left the tape on.

"When the incident started to escalate, he should have called in another police officer. He could have cuffed her to the chair. He could have used less restrictive means to control the woman if, indeed, she was getting physically abusive," Bloom told The Early Show.

[kevzgrl]

That''s a He-ll of a fall, to cause THAT much damage to her face...
Hopoe I never have to go to Hillsborough Co. in Florida or thru Cado Parish in Louisiana - seems the police there believe they are above the laws too.

[kevzgrl]

"But Willis has not been charged with any crime.

The police union has also come to Willis''s defense, saying that the chief didn''t follow protocol and the police officer''s rights were violated, reports Glor."

You can just SEE it coming, can''t you? They will claim self defense, and try as hard as they can to justify this woman''s injuries - I am a union member and supporter, but for the police union to scream that the OFFICER''S rights were "violated" in this case seems a little bit out of whack to me.

[cattlekate]

No wonder Drew Peterson got away with murder.

She fell - yeah, right.

[jsmith25255]

My husband was pulled over for a DUI about 8 yrs ago by Fauquier Co. VA Police. He is a passive person but was beaten and money stolen from him by those same police officers. Even though he did deserve being arrested, I do not think the police should have beaten him, nor stole money from him. My daughter dated an officer and he was always telling her he hoped somebody would start something so he could beat them up. It is a problem that has been going on for years. These are some of the reasons a number of people do not trust the police force in many jurisdictions.

[irisheyes555]

Yep, kevzgrl, I can see it coming! The placement of cameras needs to be changed so that they cannot possibly by covered by an officer in all police departments nationally. The cameras have revealed police brutality and continue to weed out the bad ones. But let''s not forget there are truly dedicated police officers who do the right thing, by the book, everyday without being heralded or commended. And of course, it is COMPLETELY obvious that this woman did not fall or injure herself in any way.

[jsmith25255]

My husband was pulled over for a DUI about 8 yrs ago by Fauquier Co. VA Police. He is a passive person but was beaten and money stolen from him by those same police officers. Even though he did deserve being arrested, I do not think the police should have beaten him, nor stole money from him. My daughter dated an officer and he was always telling her he hoped somebody would start something so he could beat them up. It is a problem that has been going on for years. These are some of the reasons a number of people do not trust the police force in many jurisdictions.

[lvmy3ds]

Police are abusive men with guns. Great law enforcement!

[visions83]

FINALLY THE PUBLIC EYE IS AWARE OF THE ABUSE WOMEN FACE AT THE HANDS OF POLICE; NOT ONLY THOSE IN CUSTODY OF OFFICERS BUT WIVES AND GIRLFRIENDS AS WELL.THERE IS AN EVER GROWING PROBLEM HERE IN BUFFALO NEW YORK ONE IN WHICH A FEMALE OFFICER WAS INJURED TRYING TO PREVENT A MAN IN CUSTODY FROM BEING KILLED.

[gunownerdan]

Some people actually think only the police should be allowed to have guns.

www.A-HUMAN-RIGHT.com

[zykracosmos]

Cameras don''t lie. The value of hidden video cameras (or non-hidden for that matter) has revealed the identities of criminals, sorted out varying accounts of an incident, and even assisted parents keeping an eye on the toddler alone in a playpen. Where''s all this going? Just be aware that one you back out of your driveway, you are videotaped almost everywhere, along traffic routes, at retail stores, at the ATM machine, in schools and almost every government building. Now there are efforts to have a videocam mounted inside every school bus. Good idea? Maybe. What about a videocam inside every high school classroom? Hmm. Still maybe. What about dormitory halls on campuses? Are we getting to the point to where we will want surveilance anywhere we even THINK something might go wrong? Before you answer, ask yourself how you would like it if all the videotape made of your actions over the last year without your permission could be reviewed and edited into a capsule of your general behavior and personality. Would you want a little editorial control over that?

[emaisonet1]

oops i meant officer willis not garbarino the victim soory . i hope garbarino sues the cops for billions

[emaisonet1]

if im being attack by a cop he better call his crew for back up

[newriny]

1) Lisa Bloom isn''t very bright if she thinks you could sprain a wrist when falling, when your hands are cuffed behind your back. One fall forward on your face (easy to do when you''re drunk) could break your nose (causing the black eyes) and break your teeth.
2) If the cop is guilty, this does not mean ALL cops are guilty of beating up woman, as this segment implies. If you made that statement about, say, a racial group, you''d be lambasted. But somehow it is ok to state that cops have long been guilty of violence against women, including their wives? That''s disgusting and defamatory. Have we forgotten all the police that put their lives on the line for us every day?

[king77shaw]

NWA said it best ...

[excoachken]

Where is the gun nut suggesting that if she only carried a concealed weapon................

[antizion]

More often than we think the difference between a cop and a criminal is a badge.

This is why cops need to end the blue line. You all become criminals if you participate in that.

BTW - it is illegal to destroy or fabricate evidence and cops lie for each other all day long. They lost the respect of the people after their abuse of antiwar protesters and others.

If their is ever a revolution in the US the cops will last about a day to a week. If they ever try to disarm americans, they will start a revolution.

Like being between a ROCKafeller and a hard spot.

[xlib]

Did this lib site run the story of a paralyzed white guy in Tampa being dumped out of his wheel chair by a black cop with other black cops standing by and laughing?? I don''t remember seeing it here. No surpise.
Once they dumped the paralyzed guy on the floor they proceeded to frisk him. Wonder why that story wasn''t run.

[klingon69]

Did this lib site run the story of a paralyzed white guy in Tampa being dumped out of his wheel chair by a black cop with other black cops standing by and laughing?? I don''''t remember seeing it here. No surpise.
Once they dumped the paralyzed guy on the floor they proceeded to frisk him. Wonder why that story wasn''''t run.
Posted by Xlib at 10:10 AM : Feb 21, 2008
Yes, it was on here. Might look back through previous stories. May have already fallen off though.

[kevzgrl]

Yes, Xlib - CBS did run that story, also the one about the young man out in Utah getting tazered TWICE by a cop who claimed that he felt "threatened" by the guy who was WALKING AWAY FROM HIM - because the man''s hand went "near his pants pocket" (You try walking normally without your hands swinging BY YOUR SIDES AND NEAR YOUR POCKETS). So, the cop walked and the young man was charged with resisting arrest and threatening a police officer. Go figure. This kind of cr-ap happens ALL THE TIME and the police union stands up for the CRIMINAL cops who do it - that was my whole point.

[tajomari]

There are always ignorant racists post on here. What does race have to do with this? Both the woman and the cop were white. There are bad cops all races. Let s stop the stupidness and get over the fact that slavery and segregation are over. Stupid racists are being left in the past.

[dgal878]

High 5 tajomari! You''re so right on!

[dgal878]

The Police Union believes his story! And this woman hating mans rights were violated! People of Shreveport, you''d best get that organization under control!!!!

[jehovahwtnss]

Hey, Namby Pamby, Hillary voting exCoachKen, maybe it would have been better if she had a concealed weapon, then at least there would have been one less bad guy capable of procreating

[dgal878]

Angela get a good attorney and sue the pants off of this department. They should have let him go when he got that 2nd suit against him.

[chergraham]

I''m rarely so moved by a story that I feel compelled to respond. The word "outraged" is the strongest word I can think of but it is inadequate to express my feelings about this. The only thing more outrageous than the cop''s brutality is the union''s defense of his actions as "appropriate." This officer should not only be fired, he should face the most stringent criminal charges available in the state of Louisiana and be prosecuted vigorously. Then the woman and her family should file a civil suit against him and the department so they may eventually understand the pain they have inflicted on this woman. I challenge any good law firm in the state of Louisiana to come to her defense -- not for the crime for which she was arrested, but to take action against the police officer and the department that is colluding with him and turning a blind eye to gross brutality. Finally, how stupid does the Shreveport Police Department think the viewing public is to buy the claim that the woman fell?! If he ever makes it to prison as he deserves, perhaps this cop''s more humane fellow prisoners can show him what it''s like to "fall".

[andrew_693]

this one is simple. if the cop beat the woman, and clearly he did, he should serve time and pay for her medical bills, he had no business doing that. Now, the drunk ***, should be in jail as well for drunk driving and have her driver''s license taken away and put on probation and community service.

[getagrip54]

HWere did this happen, Mayberry? Everyone on the street has a digital videocamera in their cell phone so why is a police department *** around with videotape? Could it be they use it because they want a reason to be able to turn it off?

[sassalin]

He should have been placed on unpaid leave with the first lawsuit. Even if she was fighting him look at the size of the officer compared to her. Not to mention the fact she is drunk and can''t even stand straight. How much of a fight could she possibly give him plus the fact that during all the struggle he had the time to go to the video camera and turn if off. I would think the officer would want video proof he did not hurt her and how did the video come back on? He should be arrested and thrown in with the criminals he put away.

[hipointhw]

Louisiana law enforcement have traditionally thought of themselves as EXEMPT from punishment for ANY infraction.

Almost 10 years ago, I got drunk on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Cops picked me up and "transported" me to their sub-station for booking. Pulled in behind the building, yanked me out of the squad and beat me up (I was in handcuffs at the time).

The Justice Department should launch an investigation of the whole STATE.

[offtheback]

im a black belt and a boxer and i would love to kick the cops *** who start *** with me hey officer in LA . all of you nothing but a bunch of bullys and need to get you a@@ kicked
Posted by yeahright9

Hey, cupcake! Better back off on the roids.

[easeup-2009]

"IMO, they probably think it''''s still the Repugs in charge of congress - the good ol''''days were things like this are swept under the rug - all you gotta do is chant like Rudy G. Cheers!

Posted by parrot2 at 11:41 AM : Feb 21, 2008"

*** does Congress have to do with this?

Geez what an idiot........

[offtheback]

If the cop is guilty, this does not mean ALL cops are guilty of beating up woman, as this segment implies. If you made that statement about, say, a racial group, you''''d be lambasted. But somehow it is ok to state that cops have long been guilty of violence against women, including their wives? That''''s disgusting and defamatory. Have we forgotten all the police that put their lives on the line for us every day?

Posted by newriny

Well, yhat is not exactly true. Yes it is a small minority that actually abuse people and their power, however, the culture in law enforcement is similar to that in prison. That being that of secrecy. You don''t dare rat out another officer for any reason. Others in any agency know who the bad apples are, but do not dare tell anybody, EVER. if they do, their lives would be in danger, wether form direct violence from other officers, or simply not responding to a call for help. This is an over simplification of the issue as there are a myrid of ways that retributition is delt out, but you get the picture. IAD is the most hated division in any department. If an officer is even seen talking to an IAD investigator They may as well move to another agency or change careers.
Further more, performance enhancing drug use is just as prevelant in law enforcement as it is is sports in this country.

[easeup-2009]

"That''''s who''''s making the new DOJ act up and do their jobs - Previously with Gonzo, it was just a day at the beach. Soooo, who''''s the Idiot now ? You obviously can''''t ever think beyond the basics in anything - probably just like Dumbya.

Posted by parrot2 at 11:52 AM : Feb 21, 2008"

Hey Gonzo was the U.S. Attorney General for about 2 years. If you think these cops in this little parish even KNEW who the AG was, let alone cared? To presume that they thought, "Hey! Great! A new AG we can beat everyone we want now!!" makes me think you are even a BIGGER IDIOT than previously thought.

[easeup-2009]

"Damnn!!,...easup''''s been whining and crying all over these boards this morning.....must have had a fight with his boyfriend,.....

Posted by veteran71 at 11:57 AM : Feb 21, 2008"

No whining, just trying to help brainless libtards see the light.

[akbirdy]

maybe someone will help that cop "fall down" while he''s in jail...how did he try to stop her from leaving the room...with a head-butt? someone used to say to me that some people deserve to be cops(that they are good at what they do),and some people become cops because they were bullied, and picked on through school, and then they get on a major power trip. It''s been seen a few times in this state. it''s a sad world

[carolcape]

This abuse seems to happen a lot to men and women. There should be a female officer in there also. He had no more officer training then any person walking down the street. These men are highly paid and should have more respect for human beings. Now that it is election time, get some action here people of the USA, get this police pay thing worked out. Getting a salary one man was for 5 years and he never did a tap of work. The head of one PD said it was up to him if an officer gets his pay or not. Hell, he doesn''t pay the taxes and he acted like he was God too, I could not believe it when he said it''s up to me if an officer is suspended that he gets his pay or not. One officer broke the law and had a criminal record and he indicated he should get his salary for an unlimited time. What in the hell is going on. It is not this way in Canada, believe me, not in my province anyway.

[waterandsand]

omg, look at the chicks face,, that cop went beligerent on this broad. Should be assualt and battery with deadly force.

[b-easy63]

Policy will now be changed to where two police officers are in the room at all times, authorities said.

Whitehorn would not say whether he felt Garbarino fell or was thrown down. He also would not say whether he felt the officer should have left the tape on.

"When the incident started to escalate, he should have called in another police officer. He could have cuffed her to the chair. He could have used less restrictive means to control the woman if, indeed, she was getting physically abusive," Bloom told The Early Show.


Great, now two can be present--one to watch and lie for the beater or to join in and corroborate the falling on the floor story. The cop should go to jail and any police officer who tried to cover for him should be charged with obstruction of justice.

[navyjimfl]

unfortunately you get what you pay for and the job of police officer is usually filled by low paid, low ambition, lower educated individuals who don''t want to work too hard. I went through a police academy many years ago and the officer in charge of the academy stated on the first day that being a cop was better than working for a living. Yes they do put their lives on the line at times just like many of us in the military but that is no excuse for barbaric behavior. That cop needs to be on the other side of the bars.

[carolcape]

To Chergraham:, yes, suing the b''s is the answer. He should be pulled into a dark alley and the *** beat out of him. He should not receive any pay, fired and be criminally charged like everyone else. This is a job and if you break the law you are not immune, it does not matter who you are, in fact you should be treated more severely. Look at the teacher''s lately, what is happening to them, one got 6 years this week for what they called a crime, I already gave my views on that on another site. This man should be serving the 6 years for what he did. I hope this young woman sues the state and becomes a multimillionaire and it would serve them right. Come on PD own up to your mistakes and start paying for your crimes like other people do. There is already about 3 officers going around with missing wives, you know they have been in the news lately. Just add it up.

[rushlimpdrug]

Geez what an idiot........
Posted by easeup at 11:48 AM

let me finish it for you

Geezuzzz what an idiot.

Most of the south Love God and the Bible.

That''s why they worship "good deeds".

Guess know you your comment will be, what do the cops care if they''re in the south?

[gopack443]

It''s understandable that there are going to be bad cops just as there are bad apples in any group but for the union to defend him just makes all the other police there look bad to. Hope they don''t expect sympathy when bad things happen to them.

[xlib]

zoe206-funny I missed it. Maybe it was in the opinion c". Funny also that it ran for such a short time. Then again, the lefties couldn''t race bait.
As for this story from Lousiana, bet the parish is democrat. Lousiana has been in the clutches of the left for decades up until they elected a Republican governor,

[Syndicate]

The police I have dealt with were abusive. So I think abusive police should be executed.

[mrmazerati]

Shoot him.

[gypsyartist1]

I''d like to see a forensic scientist''s explanation of how this woman''s injuries could have been sustained from a fall to the floor!!! Doesn''t seem likely to me... and it seems awfully suspicious that the camera is turned off right before the alleged fall occurs!!! Also, why didn''t Officer Willis ask for the assistance of another officer, since this suspect was obviously uncooperative and belligerent??? Where were his supportive brethren officers at the time of the incident... certainly not all having a coffee break, discussing how Willis'' rights may be infringed if he harrassed one more female suspect!!!

[jerkeedoodle]

mrmazerati,No "fun" in that.Batting practice would be alot more satisfying.Little dose of his own medicine.LISTEN UP PIGS!THIS COUNTRY''S FALLING APART.SOME OF US OUT HERE KNOW THE TRUTH,THAT YOU ARE LITTLE MORE THAN A REVENUE GENERATING GOON SQUAD THAT MAINTAINS THE STATUS QUO.YOU MIGHT DO WELL TO REMEMBER THAT YOU BLEED TOO

[zlicdic]

The good news is there''s now going to be two cops in the room at all times. The bad news is THAT was the good cop.

[suttonjo]

She fell? That''s laughable. Someone should take this "cop", and beat the living *** out of him as he obviously did to her. What a joke some police officers have come to be. It seems as if some join just so they can have the power to do as they please and think it''s OK because they can hide behind a badge. It also looked like she had bruises on other parts of her body as well. I guess she threw herself through a door before she decided to smash her face into the floor. Also, if it was such a standard procedure to cut the camera off, then why was the camera cut back on to show the lady passed out in a pool of blood? This guys not a cop he''s a thug and deserves the steepest punishment for taking advantage of law enforcement power in the manner he did and nearly killing someone. Do these people backing him also understand that he already had complaints filed against him?

[a1b2c3d4e512]

ok people. let''s look at this logically. she was in a car accident!!! that is why she has a seatbeat bruise on her shoulder. black eyes don''t appear for about an hour after an incident happens. and she was drunk. drunk people fall, and many injure themselves. if he had beat her, he probably wouldn''t have turned back on the camera to incriminate himself