Deaf-mute beaten by officers, friend says

From: Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - Apr 28, 2003

Man arrested on drug charges; police chief says internal probe under way

The Associated Press

A relative and a friend of a man who is deaf and mute say police beat him when arresting him on drug charges.

Allen Ray Webb, 33, was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of crack cocaine, resisting arrest and simple assault, Leland Police Chief Eddie Johnson said.

Dianne Archie, a friend, said she and Webb were parking her car outside her mother's house when three police officers stopped them for running three stop signs and disregarding blue lights.

Archie said the officers approached Webb and began hitting him on the shoulders and with a nightstick.

"(Webb) was on his knees and they just kept hitting him," Archie said.

"They beat this man for 20 or 30 minutes."

Johnson said an internal investigation into the arrest was under way and would not comment on the incident.

Doris Groth, Webb's mother, said Webb's injuries included bruises and swelling to his face, back, arms and shoulders.

Groth said after a court appearance on Wednesday, Webb passed out and had to be taken to a hospital.

"Regardless of what he is charged with, they are not supposed to do things like that," Groth said.

Copyright © 2003, The Clarion-Ledger.