Shocking surveillance footage has revealed the moment two San Jose police officers beat, tased and pepper-sprayed a mentally ill homeless man and encouraged others at his camp to watch.
Officers Steven Aponte and Alex Cristancho had apprehended a group of homeless people for ‘trespassing’ near the Guadalupe River on September 16, 2019.
A group of four people can be seen in body camera footage on bicycles standing next to a makeshift shelter thrown together with tarps and found objects.
Large water cans can be seen lying near the camp along with a host of personal belongings scattered among the destroyed housing.
“Hey everyone, you’re not free to go, you’re all banned,” Aponte tells the group.
“What is the emergency,” asks one person, who has not been identified, before Aponte says, “no emergency is called trespassing and illegal encampments.
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Shocking surveillance footage has revealed the moment two San Jose police officers beat, tased and pepper-sprayed a mentally ill homeless man and encouraged others at his camp to watch.
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Officers Steven Aponte and Alex Cristancho had pulled over a group of homeless people for ‘trespassing’ near the Guadalupe River on September 16, 2019.
After the interaction, another homeless man, Arthur Lee Turner, walks up to the officers asking, ‘do you know who God is?’
“Hey, come back, come back buddy,” Cristancho says as Turner slowly walks toward the officers with a distinctive gait.
“Hey look at this guys, this guy’s gonna get hit,” Aponte threatens as Turner continues to slowly walk towards the couple.
“Going down, going down,” Cristancho is then heard saying before relaying backup adding, “we have an uncooperative subject” referring to Turner.
Although Turner does not appear to threaten, the Turner duo is hit first with a ‘shop’
‘Do you know who you’re messing with? Hit me with that stick again, he says, continuing to tell the officers: “I am God. You will respect my authority.’
Turner, who appears to have a mental impairment, presented under the illusion that he is God, continues to walk towards the police, while Cristancho can be heard on camera begging them to get down on the ground.
After the interaction, another homeless man, Arthur Lee Turner, walks up to the officers asking, ‘do you know who God is?’ before an officer asks the others in the camp to watch as he is beaten and enjoyed
Although Turner does not appear to threaten, the Turner duo is hit first with a ‘shop’
Turner is then tasered a second time as the cops yell: ‘Get on your back, get on the floor or I’ll hit you again… get on the ground or I’ll hit you again’
“Don’t hit me, I’m God,” repeats Turner, seeming to believe the fantasy to be true, “you’re happy with God man, you’re happy with God.”
‘Buddy, get on the ground,’ he says, before Turner turns up and is repeatedly clubbed.
“Don’t hit my kids, don’t hit my kids, don’t hit my kids,” Turner screams as he writhes in pain on the ground before getting back up.
Turner is then tasered a second time as the cops yell: ‘Get on your back, get on the floor or I’ll hit you again… get on the ground or I’ll hit you again.’
“Don’t hit me, I’m God,” Turner repeats, seeming to believe the fantasy to be true.
Both police officers continue to use force, ignoring signs of mental impairment and instead insisting that Turner get on the ground.
‘I tried to respect you guys. You know we’ve been in touch,” Turner said before adding, “what are you doing this for?”
Both police officers continue to use force, ignoring signs of mental impairment and instead insisting that Turner get on the ground
Eventually the cops are able to subdue Turner before handcuffing him
“What are you trying to prove sir, what are you trying to prove?” Turner pleads before turning to a friend at camp and yelling ‘You’re an actor, you’re an actor, so I can’t hurt you.’
‘They are actor boys! They’re not even police.’
Despite being tased, beaten and threatened, Turner continues to stand up, pleading with the officers why they can’t see.
Eventually the officers are able to subdue Turner before handcuffing him and taking him into custody.
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