Have that, America (6/12/2009 3:34:46 PM)

single handed choke holds are not only dangerous but innefective. this officer was breaking the law and should have to face the crime and do the time the same as anyone else. its a shame that it wont happen.

SS_Hippy, Tulsa (6/12/2009 3:38:19 PM)

i'll be surprised if the trooper even gets a slap on the wrist.

somewear, Yale (6/12/2009 3:39:30 PM)

Have that, your right it is a shame that won't happen!!!

psychedelikrelik, Tulsa (6/12/2009 3:40:46 PM)

Dashcam video.

Release it.

Carl, Henryetta (6/12/2009 3:44:49 PM)

From an article in the Okemah News Leader Wed, June 10, page 8:

DA Max Cook wrote the following to Chief Guillotte:

".....I have watched...the dashcam video...it is my opinion that Trooper Martin's handling of the situation was inappropriate from the onset...I trust that this matter will be dealt with appropriately by the OHP and this type of behavior will be strongly discouraged."

I don't know what else needs to be said.

Carl, Henryetta (6/12/2009 3:49:39 PM)

In that same article, the OHP Capt stated that the dashcam video was not considered a "record" under the Ok. State Open Records Act.

I must disagree. Direct quote from the Act itself:

SS24A.3

1. "Record" means all documents, including, but not limited to, any book, paper, photograph, microfilm, data files created by or used with computer software, computer tape, disk, and record, SOUND RECORDING, film recording, VIDEO RECORD or other material regardless of physical form or characteristic....."etc, etc, etc
Alnog with the TUlsa WOrld, I - as a taxpaying, citizen - insist and DEMAND that the dashcam video - that DA Cook found so convincing, be RELEASED IMMEDIATELY.

Twilight in Paris, near the water in SE OK (6/12/2009 3:56:35 PM)

Ok, my question is why did he pull over the Ambulance which was transporting a patient??

I think a dashcam would be a video, they show them on TV all the time and say 'this video recorded the chase that was in progress'

Eric, Tulsa (6/12/2009 4:02:50 PM)

...
On the surface, it smacks of a racial incident, but I suspect it is more about the arrogance of law enforcement.

At least I hope so.

We have enough problems in this state without having to deal with allegations of racist troopers.
...
I'd like to know if the trooper was tested for steroid use.
...
..
.

Only 1 of Me?, Tulsa (6/12/2009 4:09:08 PM)

We all know that nothing will happen to the officer. Its just another situation where the police are removing themselves from the rest of society and an example of how they're CREATING the no-snitch culture themselves.

Ayo, T-Town (6/12/2009 4:13:03 PM)

If the citizens of Oklahoma don't demand this dash cam be released then I'm at a loss for words.

I'd like to say unbelievable, but actually this doesn't surprise me.

Ric, Broken Arrow (6/12/2009 4:13:10 PM)

Sounds like the trooper has a Power-Trip problem to me.

Ayo, T-Town (6/12/2009 4:14:33 PM)

Where's old Polly way anyway? He's been conveniently absent on all of the articles regarding this one. Normally, he's one of the first to jump on when there's an issue on the law, especially with a black man.

Ayo, T-Town (6/12/2009 4:16:03 PM)

I've wondered if the trooper is on steroids. I've also wondered what the policies of OHP are regarding drug testing of their officers who get caught behaving like Daniel Martin, 606. Drug test that dude.

Navin Johnson, Tulsa (6/12/2009 4:16:03 PM)

He'll probably get a raise...

Bullhead, Nicut (6/12/2009 4:20:02 PM)

Good observation, Eric. Steroids or he was cranking it up? Maybe not, he did let the guy go pretty easy. Generally they're not stoppable when under the influence.

Aurelius, Broken Arrow / Tulsa (6/12/2009 4:25:04 PM)

Carl,

Just because it could be argued that the dashcam recording is a "record" does not mean necessarily that it must be released. You gave only a small snippet of The Oklahoma Open Records Act. First, there are in fact specified items that law enforcement must release and dashboard mounted camera recodings are not one of them. Furthermore, investigative reports of law enforcement and prosecutors are not subject to release. Finally, if you want access to something, there are proper ways to make a fromal request and DEMANDING them via an internet news message board is not one of them.

Dadzilla, Tulsa (6/12/2009 4:26:04 PM)

Why are they unwilling to release the dash cam video? The claim is that it will exonerate the officer. If that were the case, the video would have been played on every news station in the state!
Something smells funny here.

WINNIE THE POOH, Tulsa (6/12/2009 4:26:25 PM)

Don't you know that all OHP officers are self worshiped gods? What a jerk!! Hope his wife was impressed with her hubby.

Carl, Henryetta (6/12/2009 4:43:01 PM)

All one has to do is read the DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S comments, which I posted. AFTER viewing the "private video" and the DASHCAM video, he felt that Trooper Martin's antics were INAPPROPRIATE from the ONSET.

I am fully aware that an Internet posting is not the appropriate channel to DEMAND Public Records be released. The Tulsa World has made an official request (through the proper channels one would imagine) and have been turned down.

Although i reprinted only a "snippet" of the Act, it was simply enough to refute the OHP's reson for not letting it go. The OHP stated the dashcam was not a "record" (their own quotation marks. The "snippet" that I copied CLEARLY stateas that VIDEOS ARE "RECORDS". My point being that the OHP needs to cite ANOTHER (non-bogus) reason for refusing to allow the PUBLIC to see what was recorded on a PUBLIC DASHCAM.

Carl, Henryetta (6/12/2009 4:51:28 PM)

The DA, while declining to press charges on anyone has said fairly clearly and in plain English that the Trooper was INAPPROPRIATE and that he trusts that the incident "will be dealt with appropriately by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and that THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR (capitals mine) will be strongly discouraged."
Keep in mind, this isn't my comment nor anyone affiliated with EMS's comments, it's from the DISTRICT ATTORNEY!!

I can't imagine anyone in authority at the OHP will protect this maverick Trooper at the risk of their own job (keeping the DA's official comments in mind) I predict Trooper Martin will be soon applying for a new position elsewhere. Best of luck to him. Perhaps he could be a bouncer, or a private duty bodyguard - seems more suited to his temperament.

Guywire, Claremore (6/12/2009 4:57:39 PM)

This incident is disgusting!I appeal to President Obama to bring his openness of government right on down to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. We must have a full and true conclusion. I can't help but think of "Boss Hogg".

tintulsa, Okmulgee (6/12/2009 5:04:00 PM)

From KOTV's website article; Why Won't OHP Release Dashcam Video?

Very good info, last paragraph states: According to Freedom of Information-Oklahoma, a statewide group supporting open records rights, the legislature curtailed the public's access to Department of Public Safety audio and video recordings in 2005. That measure says open records do not include DPS audio or video recordings.

Think about that when voting next time for State Representatives or Senators.

01ginger23, (6/12/2009 5:17:06 PM)

officer martins wife was in the car at the time of the incident (kotv6) and he was rushing to a call? However, the call wasnt that important because he stopped an ambulance and got into a scuffle with a emt. No sirens but flashing lights. sounds like martin was just giving his wife a show of what his BIG car can do and the ambulance got in the way.

tintulsa, Okmulgee (6/12/2009 5:18:09 PM)

It really seem a litle weird that the Tulsa World, KOTV6, and Fox23 each seem to have a piece of the OHP puzzle.

All the more reason for outside investigation from someone not accountable to DPS.

Online predator, Muskogee (6/12/2009 5:18:22 PM)

I bet you can hear the trooper use the N word on the dash cam,thats why they wont show it.