As we get set to release our documentary on cop wacthing and the story of Eric Brandt we are putting together our complete interviews with the memebrs of commuity that supported Eric and the activism of the Denver cop watching community. Here is Friends in Code talking about the power of cell phone cameras. Otto The Watchdog - Watchdog News Network
Hello, PAR family! I know we may sometimes feel helpless with national politics, but I KNOW we can affect local politics! How do I know? Because YOU helped lower Cody Cecil's bail and get him home safely to his family. Cody Cecil, who reached out to us 2 years ago, was trapped in a Cabell County jail with a $100,000 bail, but thanks to YOUR concern and efforts, he was able to get his bail lowered and to return home to Michigan, but his fight hasn't stopped. He currently has a petition for his freedom at https://freedomgrow.org/cody-cecils-sentencing/ And there will be a supportive rally meeting at 8am in front of the Huntington County courthouse on July 2nd. Please take the time to watch this important update to learn more about the raid on his camper, the asset forfeiture he suffered, his struggle to avoid prison, and stay united with his pregnant fiancee and two young sons-- all because of his marijuana plants and his belief that cannabis is a healing modality. Link to full report on Cody Cecil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UduV1c9-dCM
Also, shout out to Carolina in Fort Worth for surviving her injuries from the Ft Worth, TX police department and still stepping out the next day to cop watch and livestream! 🫡
Officer dies after illegal arrest, his victim was charged with murder
Sergeant Michael Kunovich self initiated a call for a suspicious hispanic male. The young man was 18 yro Virgilio Aguilar Méndez a Guatemalan farm worker in St. Augustine, FL. Méndez is an indigenous Guatemalan who speaks a language called Mam and speaks some Spanish and no English. Kunovich called for back up but not a translator as he asked Mendez where he was going, what he was doing. Méndez attempted to answer his questions and despite his obvious confusion, Kunovich chose to aggressively search Méndez, take him to the ground using force including a choke hold and tasered him roughly 6 times in 2 minutes. In the full body camera video Méndez can be heard screaming in pain saying over and over again that he's sorry. A few minutes after Méndez was placed in the back of the patrol car Sergeant Kunovich collapsed and was taken to a hospital where he later died. Although this was ruled death by natural causes by the state medical examiners the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida charged Méndez with aggravated murder, which is punishable by life in prison. Méndez has been sitting in prison since May of 2023. He currently is considered incompetent to stand trial as the judge has deemed him unable to understand the American legal system or participate via English or Spanish. Do you think Méndez should have his constitutional rights protected? Or do you think these charges should stand? Let me know your thoughts below and remember we will be back with a full Police Accountability Report as soon as we are done with these Mayoral debates in our city-- please wish us luck! Hope to see you soon, and as always please be safe out there--Taya #alwaysfilmthepolice #policeaccountabilityreport #policebrutality #policereform #filmthepolice #immigration
Officer dies after illegal arrest, then his victim was charged with murder.
Sergeant Michael Kunovich self initiated a call for a suspicious hispanic male. The young man was 18 yro Virgilio Aguilar Méndez a Guatemalan farm worker in St. Augustine, FL. Méndez is an indigenous Guatemalan who speaks a language called Mam and speaks some Spanish and no English. Kunovich called for back up but not a translator as he asked Mendez where he was going, what he was doing. Méndez attempted to answer his questions and despite his obvious confusion, Kunovich chose to aggressively search Méndez, take him to the ground using force including, had another officer put him in a choke hold and tasered him roughly 6 times in 2 minutes. In the full body camera video Méndez can be heard screaming in pain saying over and over again that he's sorry. A few minutes after Méndez was placed in the back of the patrol car Sergeant Kunovich collapsed and was taken to a hospital where he later died. Although this was ruled death by natural causes by the state medical examiners the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida charged Méndez with aggravated murder, which is punishable by life in prison. Méndez has been sitting in prison since May of 2023. He currently is considered incompetent to stand trial as the judge has deemed him unable to understand the American legal system or participate via English or Spanish. Do you think Méndez should have his constitutional rights protected? Or do you think these charges should stand? Let me know your thoughts below and remember we will be back with a full Police Accountability Report as soon as we are done with these Mayoral debates in our city-- please wish us luck! Hope to see you soon, and as always be safe out there--Taya
CW:Gun shots in Video, But No Bodily Harm
Video Reveals Deputy Mistakes Acorn for Gun Fire, Unloads Magazine at Handcuffed Man
Roughly a dozen bullets were fired at a handcuffed, unarmed suspect who miraculously survived. In November 2023 Okaloosa Sheriff's Deputy Jesse Hernandez reported to a scene where a woman alleged her boyfriend refused to return her car and was sending threatening messages. Deputy Hernandez patted the 22yro down, cuffed him and put him in the back of his patrol car without any physical resistance. As Hernandez returned to the vehicle to perform a more thorough search of the suspect he heard what he believed to be suppressed gun fire coming from inside of the car however an Internal Affairs investigation reveals an acorn was seen dropping on camera and the sound matched perfectly to when the deputy asserted he heard gun fire. Hernandez yelled he had been shot leading to his fellow officer Sgt. Roberts to join him at shooting the patrol car. Deputy Hernandez has been permitted to resign without any criminal charges filed. Sergeant Roberts has been exonerated of wrong doing and continues working for the Okaloosa Sheriff's department.
I have highlighted this incident as an example of poor police training and lack of accountability and as outrageous as it is I am grateful I can highlight this issue without extreme injury or a tragic death at the heart of it. You may have recently seen another shooting in Houston, Texas where nearly two dozen rounds were fired into an apartment resulting in 5 direct injuries to a woman misidentified as an intruder. These incidents of poorly controlled gun fire are usually assessed and dismissed by asking the officer if they feared for their safety. Activists and many concerned citizens argue that the standards of reasonable for use of force as well as qualified immunity-- should be reassessed. I hope you will join us tonight for the premiere of our full report 9pmEST which focuses deep in the heart of Texas! Will
The Disappearance of Chris Medina Calls for Independent Investigation
For tips reach out to Ballard at the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office 505-705-4033 or [email protected]
If you believe there should be an independent investigation you may wish to reach out to the Albuquerque FBI and ask them to take over the case.
If you have want more information about Christopher Medina please check this video by @jamesfreeman1 James Freeman Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPS7R3INLQ4&t=368s and if you want to see the work his father did his channel is Small Town Audit 48 Also, their local television station KRGE News 13 have done solid investigative reports following up the information uncovered by Tony Medina, James Freeman and other concerned citizens of Mountainair New Mexico. Thank you for any help you can give. -taya
