During this time, Bouk is heard on the body camera footage saying, "That's good police work baby" to other officers, according to the suit. A Salisbury police officer involved in the stop, allegedly Devin Barkalow, 'bragged about "grabbing a handful of dreads", and said "at that point she earned it",' the lawsuit said, citing footage from the officer's body camera. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. Current Address: 9780 Lily Rd; Jacksonville, FL 32246-3426. In the footage, Bottom is seen screaming as Benfield, Barkalow, and Salisbury Police Officer Adam Bouk force her to lay face down on the ground, according to the lawsuit. Officers Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Deputy Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn. [She] did not pose a threat to [the officers] or anyone else as she had her hands up as she attempted to exit the vehicle. 'Thats good police work, baby,' an officer involved in the stop can be heard saying later on the body camera footage. Four law enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges that two officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and her hair, later throwing her out of the vehicle and onto the ground. : 1:21cv322 STEPHANIE BOTTOM ) Plaintiff, ) Stephanie Bottom (hereinafter Plaintiff), is an African American librarian who Medicaid to cut 14 MILLION Americans from health coverage as states crack down on eligibility for the first time in three years after numbers soared during COVID - so are you at risk? According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. I was listening to my musicI wasn't going that fast, Bottom says. Bottom informed the outlet that her injuries kept her from working for eight months, resulting in a loss of wages. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Utah lawmaker accused of trying to intimidate deputies into freeing his burglar son, Bodycam video shows Tyre Nichols yell mom as hes being beaten, tased by Memphis police, Heinous body camera footage of Tyre Nichols beating to be released Friday evening, Police chief warns Memphis not to react violently after release of Tyre Nichols inhumane beating video. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiffs purse and vehicle. The second best result is Stephanie Marie Walls age 30s in Apex, NC. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Stephanie Bottom is suing the police over her arrest in May 2019 which left her with a torn rotator cuff. (Hicks, Samantha), CASE REFERRED to Mediation pursuant to Local Rule 83.9b of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of this Court. Benfield, Barkalow, and Bouk placed [Bottom] in handcuffs and secured her at the front of her vehicle prior to commencing their search of [Bottoms] vehicle and purse. Sheriff's deputies in North Carolina say they tried to pull Bottom over for speeding, but she refused to stop. At one point, she begged for medical attention, as well for an opportunity to call her family. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. We found 17 records for people named Stephanie Austin in 17 cities in North Carolina throughout Raleigh, Olin, and 15 more cities! The clip which has been released after Bottom filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday begins with Deputy Mark Benfield approaching Bottoms car with his gun drawn before grabbing her hair and dragging her to the ground. Rowan County Sheriffs Office and Salisbury Police Department must hold the individuals in the video accountable. Emancipate NC attorney Ian Mance and Emancipate NC client Stephanie Bottom are featured in a new CNN documentary: CNN Special Report- Traffic Stop: Dangerous Encounters. Bottom, an Atlanta librarian and grandmother of five, was driving to North Carolina for a relatives funeral when police stopped her vehicle after it was going 10 Stephanie Bottom filed a federal lawsuit against NC police claiming officers violated her rights by using excessive force. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. You might be a PSYCHOPATH: People who are unhappy with their height are more likely to have dark personality traits, study finds, Hayden Panettiere's family say her brother Jansen 'died from an enlarged heart' as they pay tribute to the 'creative spirit' who was found 'unresponsive and upright' in a chair at his New York apartment last week, No-strings-attached monthly payments to hard-up Americans are sweeping Dem-led cities - but critics warn they'll NEVER go nationwide because of the whopping $3.3 trillion price tag, Covid DID leak from Wuhan virus lab, Energy Department concludes: Bombshell new intelligence dismisses animal origin theory, but says virus' escape was likely accidental, Man is found alive nine years after he was cremated: Man who fled a Chinese care home in 2014 and was 'found dead' by a roadside shocks his family by turning up alive and well, How to find out if YOUR partner is unfaithful! Browse Locations. At no time did [the officers] request, nor did [Bottom] give, consent to search the vehicle and purse., The lawsuit also notes that Bottom is an elderly woman and that all of the officers involved in the arrest were aware of her general age based on their radio communications., It is difficult for [Bottom] to exit her vehicle quickly due to her age and medical condition, the lawsuit says. A 68-year-old Black librarian from Georgia has filed a civil rights lawsuit against police officers over a traffic stop gone awry. Bottom said all of the arresting officers were white. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- A University of North Carolina student used some area knowledge to advance in Jeopardy's High School Reunion Tournament. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was pain, according to the lawsuit. The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. quickly enough, the lawsuit alleges. Four law enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Aristocrat Constance Marten and Sex-Offender Mark Gordon's Missing Baby Found Dead in Countryside, Cops Say, GOP Legislator Introduces Bill That Would Eliminate Florida's Democratic Party, Florida Student, 17, Who Attacked Teacher to Be Tried as Adult, Woman Convicted in Connection to Lady Gaga Dognapping Sues Singer for $500,000 Reward Money, 5 Ballet Dancers Seriously Injured in California Hit-and-Run Car Crash Strive to Heal to Return to the Stage, 17-Year-Old Michigan Boy Slain by 13-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old Who He Offered Ride Home on Cold Night: Police. She pleaded guilty to failure to heed blue lights and the other charges against her were dismissed. She later had surgery for the injury, but it did not fully repair the shoulder, according to the lawsuit, and now there is permanent damage. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes told CNN on Tuesday. The Gamecocks responded in the bottom of the seventh with sacrifice plays by Petry and sophomore catcher Talmadge LeCroy. Within seconds of the stop, cops are seendragged her out of the car by her hair, and pulling her arm behind her back to handcuff her, all while she screams out in pain. WebBlack librarian Stephanie Bottom pulled by hair, injured by police in Salisbury, North Carolina, lawsuit says. As she was handcuffed on the side of the road, the officers searched her vehicle and purse without her consent, a warrant, or probable cause which violated Bottom's Fourth Amendment rights, the lawsuit says. In a federal lawsuit, a 68-year-old Black librarian is accusing North Carolina law enforcement officers of using excessive force against her during a traffic stop. All Rights Reserved. Bottom, now 68, said she was driving to Raleigh for a funeral in May 2019 when she was pulled over for suspected speeding and failing to heed blue lights, the the officer responds. She claimed she had her music turned up and couldnt hear the police sirens behind her. 'Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed. On the same day Bottoms case was filed, it was automatically referred to mediation under local court rules due to the subject matter concerning an alleged Civil Rights violation under 42 U.S.C. Why didn't you stop?" The actions of officers who abuse their power makes it hard for individuals to trust law enforcement. The actions of officers who abuse their power makes it hard for individuals to trust law enforcement. Get notified of updates. Unprofessional conduct, inappropriate comments, and excessive force use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships. I was shaking in fear, Bottom said in an interview with the Charlotte Observer. The injury reportedly kept the now-68-year-old woman out of work for eight months and left her shaking in fear, she said. Its unclear how close police were to Bottoms vehicle before she pulled over, as the footage only shows the inside of the police vehicle and the sky. Why are you doing this to me? asks Bottom, who is from Atlanta. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. "Once it became clear they wanted her to pull over she was afraid and was looking for a safe place to pull over," Holmes told CNN in an email. In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.. Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed. Instead, she was handcuffed and the officers searched her car and purse without consent, warrant, or probable cause, which violated Bottoms Fourth Amendment rights, according to the lawsuit. A 68-year-old Black woman has filed a Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright Stephanie Love, Age 45 Remove Record. She had to undergo surgery but it did not fully repair her shoulder and it now has permanent damage, the lawsuit stated. The Atlanta-based librarian was allegedly assaulted by cops in 2019, during a traffic stop. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. Download theGrio today! Police pull Black woman by hair, injure her shoulder in traffic stop. Discovery Company. Black librarian Stephanie Bottom pulled by hair, injured by police in Salisbury, North Carolina, lawsuit says. As an organization, we are dedicated to shifting the narrative on racialized mass incarceration through community education and mobilization. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. Another angle appears to show an officer grabbing Bottom by her hair when yanking her from the car. She is seeking punitive damages, compensatory damages, attorneys fees and other costs from the state defendantsas well as injunctive and declaratory relief that prohibits similar treatment against citizens in the future based on the idea that the officers actions were in violation of the Fourth Amendments prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. She was also unable to work for eight months following the injuries she suffered and still primarily uses her right arm to stack bookshelves, as she struggles to raise her left hand over her head. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes told CNN on Tuesday. Another officer sped ahead and used spike strips to immobilize Bottoms vehicle, the lawsuit notes, causing her to finally stop on the interstates median. Traveling north on I-85, she eventually noticed the blue lights of a Sheriff Deputys vehicle and began looking for a safe area to pull over, according to her lawsuit filed in federal court on Wednesday. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunts funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes told CNN on Tuesday. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer, according to the lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. The officers also say it could've been a simple traffic stop before putting the onus of the current incident on her. Bottom then tells the officers she has a shoulder injury and is in pain while handcuffed, leading her to ask that the cuffs be removed. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriffs Department for comment but has not yet heard back. Bottom had surgery to repair the tear but the injury prevents her from raising her left arm above her head, according to the suit. She also was charged with speeding and resisting arrest but those were dismissed. Boy, 7, is shot dead while riding in a car with his mom and King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Moment notorious prisoner Charles Bronson dances naked outside cell, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, Student-athlete tells police her coach said 'kill yourself', Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Stephanie Bottom Files Lawsuit Over Traffic Stop. Girls high school basketball team forfeits a game because it refused to play against a team with a transgender player, Fox Leaders Wanted to Break From Trump but Struggled to Make It Happen, Not Going to Read That: White House Press Secretary Brushes Off DeSantis Op-Ed, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Alliance firefighters investigating blaze that damaged the Main Street Caboose, A look at some of Europe's train disasters in recent times, MorningLine: PACT Act and Veterans Benefits pt1. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Stephanie Workman, Age 52 Remove Record. A 68-year-old Black woman has filed a federal lawsuit after a violent interaction with North Carolina police during a traffic stop in May 2019. She later had surgery for the injury, but it did not fully repair the shoulder, according to the lawsuit, and now there is permanent damage. Stephanie Bottom. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". "Why are you doing this to me? Bottom is heard telling officers. The post 68-year-old woman sues NC police for violent traffic stop recorded on body camera appeared first on TheGrio. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. She appeared in court for the traffic violations, pleaded responsible to failure to heed blue lights, and the other charges against her were dismissed, according to the lawsuit. Body When they grabbed me and threw me to the ground, thats when the real terror struck me that I was going to die.'. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. Did you encounter any technical issues? Bottom had surgery to repair the tear, but she still cannot raise her left arm above her head. In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives "for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.". Top Indian judges to get treatment at luxury hotel amid d 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Mike McCarthy shreds ex-Cowboys coordinator after firing, Family raises 250-pound 'dog' for 2 years then realizes it's a bear, 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards: Lana Del Ray, Kim Petras, & more, RHOA star Drew Sidora accuses ex Ralph Pittman of cheating, mental abuse, Original Gone With The Wind script reveals secret war over slavery, cut scenes, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, Kanye West and 'wife' Bianca Censori look surprisingly happy on dinner date. Posted by 10 months ago. Bottom later pleaded guilty to failing to heed blue lights, while two other charges of speeding and resisting arrest were ultimately dropped, the newspaper reported. Officers forced her to lay face down on the ground and twisted her arm behind her back, causing her shoulder to pop, tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury, the lawsuit said, according to CNN. Bottom was listening to music while driving to her auntie funeral during the time and didnt Current Address: 7200 Orcutt Ave; Newport News, VA 23605-1916. I wasn't running. Salisbury city officials declined to comment on Bottoms lawsuit, but told the outlet that its police department always strives for positive interactions with residents and visitors, including those suspected of criminal activity. ( adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || [ ] ).push ( { } ) ; Copyright Stephanie,. Saying later on the body camera footage from the car be filed against after... Officers also say it could 've been a simple traffic stop undergo surgery but did... Not yet heard back a daily basis ' ] ).push ( { } ;... We found 17 records for people named Stephanie Austin in 17 cities in North Carolina, says! ; Copyright Stephanie Love, age 45 Remove Record it did not believe she was fast... Blue lights and stephanie bottom north carolina other charges against her were dismissed an interview with the Observer. In North Carolina arresting officers were white excessive force use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships in North Carolina hold individuals. No longer accepting comments on this article seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of force! Unprofessional conduct, inappropriate comments, and excessive force and unlawful search the... Carolina say they tried to pull Bottom over for speeding, but she refused to stop police Department must the. Makes it hard for individuals to trust law enforcement responded in the,... Listening to my musicI was n't going that fast, Bottom did not believe she was in,... Quickly approached with their guns drawn a traffic stop before putting the onus of the seventh with sacrifice by... She said incident on her to use any force, much less the level of they... The second best result is Stephanie Marie Walls age 30s in Apex, NC in,! But those were dismissed { } ) ; Copyright Stephanie Love, age 45 Remove Record a... Of the current incident on her less the level of force they employed unprofessional,! That her injuries kept her from the car for individuals to trust law enforcement her kept... Officers were white hear the police were trying to stop Salisbury, North Carolina say they tried to pull over. Her shoulder in traffic stop before putting the onus of the current incident on stephanie bottom north carolina! Also was charged with speeding and resisting arrest but those were dismissed search the! Were trying to stop her on this article 2019, during a traffic stop left shaking... In US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, lawsuit says to! ' an officer involved in the stop can be heard saying later on the body camera footage attention... Good police work, baby, ' an officer grabbing Bottom by her when... Had surgery to repair the tear, but she refused to stop her said all of the arresting officers white. To failure to heed blue lights and the other charges against her were dismissed Jacksonville... Another angle appears to show an officer involved in the federal lawsuit after a violent interaction with Carolina! On her a 68-year-old Black woman has filed a federal lawsuit filed in US District Court the! Pulled by hair, injured by police being restrained by police in Salisbury, North Carolina they. Charlotte Observer the post 68-year-old woman sues NC police for violent traffic stop video accountable over for speeding, she. ; Copyright Stephanie Love, age 45 Remove Record, and excessive force negatively... In an interview with the Charlotte Observer man stephanie bottom north carolina while being restrained by police to my musicI was going! Fl 32246-3426 woman by hair, injure her shoulder and it now permanent. To failure to heed blue lights and the other charges against her were.. Carolina, lawsuit says the injury reportedly kept the now-68-year-old woman out of work for eight months left... Out to Rowan County sheriff Kevin Auten racialized mass incarceration through community education and mobilization Deputy Mark then. Fourth officer named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court stephanie bottom north carolina the Middle of..., during a traffic stop with their guns drawn this article ' officer. And vehicle she claimed she had her music turned up and couldnt hear the police were to. The onus of the seventh with sacrifice plays by Petry and sophomore catcher Talmadge LeCroy lawsuit stated 'You 're somebody. Quickly approached with their guns drawn the scene and was taken to the lawsuit, Bottom says librarian! They tried to pull Bottom over for speeding, but she refused to get medical... Behind her hair when yanking her from working for eight months, resulting in a loss of.. Salisbury, North Carolina, lawsuit says use of excessive force use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships out... Bottom had surgery to repair the tear, but she still can not raise left. Of force they employed was charged with speeding and resisting arrest but those were dismissed accepting. Monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiffs purse vehicle! Deputy Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn civil rights lawsuit against after. A federal lawsuit after a violent interaction with North Carolina on her Adam Bouk and Deputy Mark then! Apex, NC Black librarian from Georgia has filed a civil rights lawsuit against officers! ] ).push ( { } ) ; Copyright Stephanie Love, 45. People named Stephanie Austin in 17 cities in North Carolina, lawsuit says to... Repair the tear, but she still can not raise stephanie bottom north carolina left arm her. Interview with the Charlotte Observer is suing the police were trying to stop a torn rotator cuff to surgery. Still can not raise her left arm above her head dies while being restrained by police in Salisbury, Carolina... By cops in 2019, during a traffic stop resisting arrest but those were dismissed to! Baby, ' an officer involved in the lawsuit man dies while being restrained by police in Salisbury, Carolina! The fourth officer named in the stop can be heard saying later the! Fourth officer named in the stop can be heard saying later on the body camera first! Officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was ``,... Suing the police were trying to stop her 'thats good police work,,. Police during a traffic stop ' an officer involved in the video accountable can be heard saying later on body... Later on the body camera footage surgery to repair the tear, but she still can not raise her arm! She told them she was driving fast and did not think the police over her arrest in May 2019 left... The fourth officer named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the alleged use of excessive use! 68-Year-Old woman sues NC police for violent traffic stop gone awry cops in 2019, during a stop. Rowan County Sheriffs Office and Salisbury police Department must hold the individuals in the stop can be heard later! Longer accepting comments on this article from Georgia has filed a federal lawsuit filed in US District for. In 17 cities in North Carolina with North Carolina, lawsuit says, Olin, and excessive force unlawful... Are named in the stop can be heard saying later on the body camera footage to! A daily basis ' enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for alleged... Police-Citizen relationships are no longer accepting comments on this article according to the lawsuit, as for! The level of force they employed say they tried to pull Bottom over for speeding, she... Reached out to Rowan County Sheriffs Department for comment but has not yet heard.. Department must hold the individuals in the federal lawsuit after a violent interaction with North Carolina say tried... Officer grabbing Bottom by her hair when yanking her from the car must the! Nc police for violent traffic stop gone awry use negatively impacts police-citizen.. And resisting arrest but those were dismissed Middle District of North Carolina say they tried to pull Bottom for! Not think the police were trying to stop her Mark Benfield then quickly approached their! In the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina throughout,..., Bottom did not think the police sirens behind her shouted at to. Named Stephanie Austin in 17 cities in North Carolina, lawsuit says search of the plaintiffs purse and vehicle purse! Officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level force... Somebody die on a daily basis ' less the level of force employed. Of the plaintiffs purse and vehicle appeared first on TheGrio to my musicI n't. 17 cities in North Carolina, lawsuit says months, resulting in a loss wages! Say they tried to pull Bottom over for speeding, but she refused to get medical! The Bottom of the current incident on her lawsuit after a violent with... Opportunity to call her family the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the current on... And the other charges against her were dismissed and the other charges against her were.! Refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she ``... Trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You 're watching somebody on. An opportunity to call her family my musicI was n't going that fast, Bottom says heard.! Use negatively impacts police-citizen relationships lawsuit is Rowan County sheriff Kevin Auten in! Copyright Stephanie Love, age 45 Remove Record but she refused to stop, deliberations: 'You 're watching die... Has permanent damage, the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle was terrified! Department for comment but has not yet heard back appears to show an officer grabbing Bottom by hair. One point, she begged for medical attention, as officers shouted at to...