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Posted: Sep 1, 2011 8:17 PM by Steven Romo - sromo@kristv.com
Updated: Sep 3, 2011 12:32 PM
That's exactly what one Aransas Pass family says they are going through.
Martin Garcia Ortiz is in critical condition after an incident allegedly involving Aransas Pass police back on August 10th.
The family and their attorneys say they believe a rogue police officer may be to blame for Ortiz's severe injuries.
"We want to find out what happened to my uncle. We want him to hurry up and talk to see what he can tell us," said Victoria Hernandez, Ortiz's niece.
48-year-old Martin Garcia Ortiz is a life long Aransas Pass resident, though for the past few weeks he's been at Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi.
On August 10th, Ortiz's family says he was riding his bicycle home and just a few blocks away something happened to put him in critical condition.
Just before midnight, the family's attorneys say they believe police tried stopping Ortiz for not having a headlight on his bike. Then, the situation took a dramatic turn when one officer allegedly knocked Ortiz to the ground.
"Either with his vehicle or with his person pushed him over on his bicycle. He fell over to the street," said Stephen Carriganan, attorney for the family.
Attorneys say Ortiz was knocked from his bike along Cleveland Street. The allegations are only more shocking from there.
They say they believe when Ortiz was already on the ground bleeding the officer got out and punched or kicked him causing even more injuries.
Attorneys say they have evidence that supports their claims, but are holding off on revealing their sources.
We contacted Aransas Pass police department for comment but our calls weren't returned.
It's not clear if the officers involved received disciplinary action, but it appears they're still on duty in the city.
Police are charging Ortiz with public intoxication and resisting arrest.
The family's attorneys report the police department has told them the dash-cam video from the police unit was- for some reason- unable to record the incident.
Attorneys also say the department hasn't given them a complete copy of the incident report.
"I can find very little justification. If what we believe is true; if they pushed or ran this guy of the road, whatever they did with their car or their persons. I'd be very surprised if there is any justification for that in a report," said Chris Gayle, an attorney for the family.
Now, the family and attorneys say they are faced with a lot of unanswered questions about exactly what went on that night, but they're hopeful they will find the truth.
"You will always get the answer. It may take a little bit of time. Right now, we're troubled by what we think the answer is. Maybe we're wrong, but I don't think we are," Gayle said.
Ortiz's family is pulling together and praying for his recovery. They're also praying for answers on how a possible run-in with police just blocks from home could put Ortiz in the hospital unable to speak or breathe on his own.
"It just breaks our heart. My dad and his brothers are just worried if he's going to be the same, but I know he's not going to be the same like he used to," Hernandez said.
The family says they have been contacted by the Texas Ranger who are investigating the incident.
They're asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and contact the Rangers at [512] 424-2160.
1 comment:
Ted - I was looking at it from a different point of view. Like what the cop must have said.
"You must have a light on your bike for safety."
"You could get run over by a truck!"
"Don't you see?"
"You son of a bitch!"
"It's for your own good!"
"You don't want to end up in the E.R. do you?"
And the officer proceeds to beat the crap out of him and put him in the hospital.
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"To serve Mankind"
"Oh no, it's a cookbook!"
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