Court cases against police officers with slingshot gear thrown out by judge

Footage shown in court last year showed Peterson-English approaching police and protection officers at the station at least four times in more than an hour.

Witnesses told the court Peterson-English acted erratically, barking at officers and calling them “pigs,” “dogs,” and “glorified snitch.”

Officers present during the incident said Peterson-English sounded “exorcistic” as he yelled at police, leading some officers to believe he was intoxicated or suffering from mental health issues.

A PSO told the court he was so aggressive that she pulled out her pepper spray to prepare for the situation to escalate, which she has done less than a few times in her eight-year career.

After contacting police several times, Peterson-English was arrested, fined for not wearing a mask and released on the spot. He returned to the hall area and continued filming the police shortly after.

Barrett then grabbed him from behind and threw him to the ground, causing Peterson-English’s head to hit the ground, knocking him unconscious. The incident was caught on camera and circulated on the internet.

Peterson-English, who was not taking his prescribed antipsychotic medication at the time of the incident and refused to be treated by paramedics, previously told the court he had been living with post-traumatic stress disorder since the arrest.

Prosecutors acknowledged that Peterson-English behaved inappropriately towards the officers, but argued that Barrett used disproportionate force when he brought the slim-built man to the ground using a technique not authorized or taught during police training.

“It is not child’s play to make a decision in the heat of the moment, he has time to consider his actions,” prosecutors told the court.

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“The complainant was speaking to another sergeant, there was no perceived threat from others at the time.”

Barrett declined to comment on the judge’s decision as he walked out of court hand in hand with his partner.

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