Phoenix Prosecutor Drops Charges Against Deaf Man Following Police Assault
In Phoenix, Arizona, all charges against Tyron McAlpin, a deaf man with cerebral palsy, have been dropped by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as of Thursday evening. This decision follows intense public outcry regarding McAlpin’s brutal treatment by police officers, as revealed in a disturbing video that surfaced recently.
Assault Capture on Video
The incident took place in August, when McAlpin was arrested by two Phoenix police officers. The video shows the officers punching McAlpin multiple times and using a Taser against him repeatedly after he failed to respond to their commands. McAlpin, now 34 years old, was initially facing charges of two counts of aggravated assault on an officer and resisting arrest.
Prosecutor’s Response
After reviewing the evidence and discussing the case with senior attorneys and members of the community, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell made the decision to dismiss all charges against McAlpin. Mitchell noted that her investigation began after concerns were raised by local NAACP leadership about the prosecution of McAlpin.
In her statement, Mitchell said, “I have now completed my review and have made the decision to dismiss all remaining charges against Mr. McAlpin.” This decision came after significant public pressure following the release of body camera footage that drew national attention.
Community Outcry
Several public officials and community groups called for the dismissal of the charges against McAlpin. Arizona State Senator Anna Hernandez and State Representative Analise Ortiz released a joint statement saying the incident reflects larger issues within the Phoenix Police Department. They emphasized that “Tyron is deaf and has cerebral palsy and should never have been subjected to this brutal assault at the hands of police officers.”
They pointed out that the U.S. Department of Justice had previously conducted an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department, which found that it systematically used excessive force and disproportionately targeted people of color.
Advocates Raise Concerns
Advocates for the deaf and disabled community expressed concerns about the implications of this incident. Nikki Soukup, public policy director for the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, noted, “Unfortunately, these situations are not uncommon.” She highlighted the risks of misunderstandings during police encounters, which can lead to dire consequences for individuals who may not comprehend the police’s orders due to their disabilities.
Implications of Police Violence
The incident involving McAlpin is seen as part of a broader pattern where police interact violently with civilians who don’t immediately obey orders. Statistics indicate that a quarter of those killed by police have mental illnesses. Many individuals, especially those with disabilities, often find themselves in tragic situations due to miscommunications with law enforcement.
This case is not only a reminder of McAlpin’s ordeal but also raises awareness of similar situations that have occurred across the country. Many deaf individuals have encountered violent situations simply because they misunderstood or did not hear police commands.
Calls for Accountability
This incident has sparked renewed calls for accountability within the Phoenix Police Department. Community members are demanding that the officers involved in the assault—identified as Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue—be placed on administrative leave while they investigate their actions. Historically, officers rarely face repercussions for the use of excessive force, raising concerns over accountability in policing practices.
According to data, less than 2% of killings by police result in charges against officers, and an even smaller percentage leads to convictions. The alarming frequency of these unjust outcomes has triggered further scrutiny over law enforcement practices across the United States.
Conclusion
The decision to drop the charges against Tyron McAlpin marks an important moment in the fight for justice and accountability in the police system. His case underlines the need for better training and understanding among law enforcement officers when handling encounters with disabled individuals. As community members advocate for change, the hope is to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
