Police Hope To Re-File Charges Against Beaten CAPA Student

All charges have been dropped against a Creative and Performing Arts High School student who has accused three city police officers of beating him during his arrest.

VIDEO: Police Hope To Re-File Charges

The FBI continues to investigate civil rights allegations made by Jordan Miles, 18, who was charged with assaulting the officers on Jan. 12 in Homewood.

On Thursday, Miles appeared in court and all charges against him were dropped.

Police charged Miles because, they said, he fought with the officers who thought a "heavy object" in his coat was a gun. It turned out to be a bottle of Mountain Dew.

In court, when asked what crime Miles committed, arresting officer Michael Saldutte testified, "Loitering. Because of the high crime area and standing next to the house, it could have been a burglary."

Saldutte testified he was also assaulted by Miles during the arrest saying, "He brought his elbow back and struck me in the head."

But in the end, the judge sided with Miles, and all charges were dropped.

"We disagree completely with the decision," said Chuck Hanlon, vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1. "We will vigorously lobby the D.A. to re-file the charges."

"I think the affidavit was perjury, without a doubt," said Miles' attorney, Carrington Lewis. "I hope that's investigated because if that goes on, the whole system fails."

"It's just a lot of stress," said Miles. "It's the third time I've been to court, and the third time it was successful. I don't want to let anybody have the impression of me that I'm some gangbanger just because of the neighborhood I live in. I don't associate with none of that violence. I'm just happy to let everyone know I was telling the truth."

"I think justice was served," said Miles' mother, Therez Miles. "So far, I'm very thrilled. I just really hope the police officers have to pay the consequences. Something should be done to these officers besides what has been done. I think they should be held accountable for beating up my son. All he was doing was walking down the street minding his own business."

Miles, who claims the officers were the aggressors, said he resisted arrest because he thought the men were trying to abduct him and didn't identify themselves as police.

He said he was hit with a stun gun and hospitalized after the violent struggle, during which a chunk of his hair was yanked out and a tree branch went through his gums.

Police said they thought Miles had a weapon and was acting suspiciously. The black teenager contends the white officers acted against him because they assumed he was a troublemaker because of his race.

All three officers involved in the incident have been suspended with pay while both the FBI and NAACP investigate.

In the meantime, Target 11 uncovered two of the three officers involved are already facing federal lawsuits.

Saldutte is accused of using excessive force during an arrest last year. Saldutte said Jamil Gray resisted after a chase and reasonable force had to be used.

Officer David Sisak is named in another federal civil lawsuit. He is accused of using racial profiling.

James Stringer said he was stopped, seized, arrested and jailed because of his race.

Another complaint was also filed with the Citizens Review Board. The complaint accuses Sisak of using excessive force while restraining a mentally-challenged woman.

The board ordered Sisak to undergo crisis intervention training.

Previous Stories: February 23, 2010: Beaten CAPA Student Having Flashbacks, Mother Says February 2, 2010: CAPA Student Beating Prompts Proposed Change In Police Operations February 1, 2010: Officers Accused Of Beating CAPA Student Placed On Paid Leave January 26, 2010: Citizens Police Review Board To Look Into CAPA Student Beating January 22, 2010: Student: ‘Beating So Bad Thought I Was Going To Die’

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