Mayor Wants Probe Of Beale St. Incident
Mayor A C Wharton has called for an investigation into an incident on Memphis’ famed Beale Street after video appears to show police using excessive force in restraining someone.
The grainy cell phone video was posted on You Tube after an incident on Oct. 2, according to The Commercial Appeal .
The video shows several police officers subduing a subject identified as Jarrell Williams and one appears to strike him several times.
The newspaper quotes a police affidavit, which states Williams refused to leave as police tried to clear the street and that he pulled back an arm as though he were going to throw a punch. Officers subdued him using pepper spray. The affidavit states two officers received minor injuries.
Wharton said he told Police Director Toney Armstrong he wants a “swift investigation.” No formal complaint was filed.
