By Anny Jacoby
October 20, 2006 will be embedded in Hope Steffey's mind, body and soul for the rest of her life.
Never to minimize Hope Steffey's illegal experience with officers of the law.....females are being victimized by law enforcement officers every damn day. Unfortunately they are scared, do not have the support, legal representation or advocacy that they so much deserve hence life goes on within departments. Well, Stark County in Ohio has had a major wake-up call and I pray that other police departments and sheriff departments will be called out for illegal actions.
Hope Steffey was assaulted by another woman in Paris Township, Stark County, Ohio. A 911 call resulted in Officer Gurlea with the Stark County Sheriff's department being dispatched to the scene. Gurlea questioned Steffey, asked her for her identification, but she mistakenly gave the officer her deceased sister's driver's license which Hope had kept as a personal memento of her sister. When Hope "immediately noticed her mistake" she asked Officer Gurlea to return her sister's license, but Gurlea refused. While trying to explain to Gurlea, she "begged" for the return but he still refused.
Hope had been assaulted, with facial bleeding and a bald spot on her head where her hair has been pulled out by the woman who allegedly assaulted her. Hope became visibly upset with what was transpiring. Hope's cousin, Trinette Zorger reminded Gurlea that Hope was the VICTIM, she had been knocked unconscious and was acting "uncharacteristically loud and upset."
Officer Gurlea still refused to acknowledge Hope's injuries or call for medical help. When Hope asked Gurlea again for her sister's license back the Officer turned and angrily responded, "Shut up about your dead sister." Hope reminded Gurlea that her sister was here, she was someone (meaning that she was once alive and her life counted and that she meant the world to her).
Gurlea exploded into rage and without provocation turned toward Hope and physically slammed her face into his cruiser, breaking one of her teeth. He pinned her against his cruiser with his pelvic area, twisted Hope's arm high up behind her back, which inflicted extreme pain in which her reaction showed.
Officer Gurlea then picked up Hope up off the ground and slammed her, face-first, into the dirt road, causing her nose to hit hard against the ground, causing cuts and bruises. Hope's chest and lungs were jammed into the ground by the entire weight of Gurlea's body and knees, blood began streaming down her face and neck. With his knees in her back, Zorger (her cousin) saw that Hope couldn't breath. She screamed at Gurlea, "She can't breathe, let her go, you're hurting her."
Steffey was handcuffed and thrown in the back of Gurlea's cruiser, still no medical attention was obtained for her. Hope Steffey was on her way to the Stark County Safety Building (jail) and what follows is of the most upsetting nature.
Hope was taken into a room and told to face the wall where approximately six deputies/guards/staff, some male, surrounded her in the small room. She was asked if she any weapons or sharp objects, Hope replied "no." Hope was told to stand on a line, face front and answer a nurse's questions. She complied. With no warning, no words were spoken by Hope's assailants, her legs were knocked out from under her and face was jammed hard into the floor.
The video below obtained is graphic, has offensive language and upsetting...but you must see and listen to Hope's pleads, unnecessary abuse and ILLEGAL strip search. You will never forget this video footage. Yes, this search was clearly sexual abuse and assault, and even rape.
Mind you that the title of the video is to somehow put into your mind that the strip search was for her benefit - not others! "SUICIDE PRECAUTIONS..." Cut me a break!
I know that each of you at this point is staring at your monitors, the video footage is replaying in your minds and you are all asking, "how in the world could this happen?" Hope was truly VICTIMIZED BEYOND WORDS!
Now imagine if it was your wife, your daughter, or your mother getting forcefully stripped after calling the police for help! It has now been discovered that at least 128 women between 1999 and 2007 were strip-searched, forced to remove their clothing or placed on suicide watch or homicide watch or "naked detention" at Sheriff Swanson's jail. Hope was held in a cell for six hours, covering her body in toilet paper to keep warm and to prevent anyone from seeing her naked. During this time she was not allowed to use a phone or seek medical assistance for injuries sustained.
Mind you that the title of the video is to somehow put into your mind that the strip search was for her benefit - not others! "SUICIDE PRECAUTIONS..." Cut me a break!
I know that each of you at this point is staring at your monitors, the video footage is replaying in your minds and you are all asking, "how in the world could this happen?" Hope was truly VICTIMIZED BEYOND WORDS!
Now imagine if it was your wife, your daughter, or your mother getting forcefully stripped after calling the police for help! It has now been discovered that at least 128 women between 1999 and 2007 were strip-searched, forced to remove their clothing or placed on suicide watch or homicide watch or "naked detention" at Sheriff Swanson's jail. Hope was held in a cell for six hours, covering her body in toilet paper to keep warm and to prevent anyone from seeing her naked. During this time she was not allowed to use a phone or seek medical assistance for injuries sustained.
Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson denied all charges. The sheriff's policy requires officers conducting any strip search to be of the same sex, the sheriff contended that the tactic used on Hope was not actually a strip search. Then what the hell would you call it? Personally...I call it rape! Male officers removed her panties, held her down, used force and in my opinion the female officers were just as much at fault - they did not order the males to leave according to policy and procedure set forth. For God's sake if they needed the males for assistance with Hope they would be right outside of the cell door! And, did you notice that the last two officers leaving the cell were males?
Officers, male and female, are taught in Basic Law Enforcement Training a move called, "Point of Domination" - so that's a crock or perhaps they missed this training! Ladies, if you can't do your jobs and subdue a female prisoner who is not under any influence; then you are in the wrong damn field! Or get behind a desk and push papers as you certainly do not belong in the "field" not knowing what you are doing nor how to do it.
Officers, male and female, are taught in Basic Law Enforcement Training a move called, "Point of Domination" - so that's a crock or perhaps they missed this training! Ladies, if you can't do your jobs and subdue a female prisoner who is not under any influence; then you are in the wrong damn field! Or get behind a desk and push papers as you certainly do not belong in the "field" not knowing what you are doing nor how to do it.
Hope was told by a guard that her charges were "resisting arrest and disorderly conduct." Wouldn't you resist basically being raped, clothes being torn off you, not communicated any charges against you? OH HELL YES YOU WOULD! And what threat did this small woman pose? She was at their mercy - but no respect or was she dignified at any time throughout her entire ordeal? NO!
Hope Steffey filed suit against the Stark Count sheriff, deputies, and commissioners. The good news is that U.S. District Court Judge David Dowd in a court order that the plaintiff's, including Sheriff Tim Swanson and the Stark County Board of Commissions, "have entered into a resolution of the plaintiff's case against those defendants, reserving only a determination by the Court as to the amount of attorney fees and costs." The amount of the settlement, however, is undisclosed, a rather strange thing given that it would appear that the cost of the police abuse of Hope Steffey will be born by the taxpayers. Don't they have the right to know just how much their police have cost them? Since when does government impropriety get to be swept under the rug so that the citizens, for whom the cops exists, are left to wonder?
There has been no admission of guilt by Sheriff Swanson nor the department. County officials had no reaction either. Personally, I am shocked that all from the top down are in law enforcement - if they are at this time, including the county officials. Talk about the good ole boys.
The good news is......It is great to hear that Hope Steffey received a settlement for the harm done in this shocking case, though disappointing that the local sheriff would still hide from what happened. Again, Hope Steffey will live with this ordeal the rest of her life! There is no amount of money/settlement that will or can erase this experience.
It is a shame that the full array of what went horribly wrong won't be aired publicly as a message to police everywhere. And it's a shame that the individual cops involved WON'T have to pay personally for what they did do this young woman and others.
It's not everything one could want in a settlement but it is better than giving these sick, perverted, disgraceful cops (males and females) medals. Sad that a few bad apples spoil the bunch.
Take care and STAY SAFE!
Take care and STAY SAFE!
Personal Safety Expert
The Realistic Female Self-Defense Company
Project Safe Girls
www.annyjacoby.com
I am shocked, speechless, and horrified. Surprised perhaps not as much having some life experience under my belt. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch. I am glad she survived, I am glad she fought her corner when she could. I am saddened by the inhumanity of it all.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe what I just saw??? That was mind bogling. Extremely upsetting. If that was not assault and rape i don't then I don' understand anything. As a former victim of both I find the actions of the police totally unjustified. Typical discrimination against woman, we're back in the stone ages in alot of this country. There is no defence for there actions. This trauma will last forever with this victim, her life will be forever changed.
ReplyDeleteThese police officers should be brought up on charges along with their commanding officer! This was rape in every sense of the word. Especially that bald officer who could not keep his face out of her private area. I cannot imagine any circumstance where this would be deem appropriate. It's like those in these positions have been seduced into a power and humiliation drunken stupor feeding off those who are unable to defend themselves. This behavior is rampant in many areas and a reality check needs to be addressed and accountability needs to be applied.
ReplyDeleteI am a United Kingdom resident who HAD plans to visit the United States to visit friends..after seeing the appalling and brutal behaviour of your police force NO WAY will I ever set foot in a country that has a legal system that ALLOWS for the brutality of a woman, obviously upset, obviously in need of help medically and OBVIOUSLY being mentally, emotionally and physically raped, brutalised and this is your LAW ?
ReplyDeletethe screams of this lady, her genuine distress and the torment she will suffer in the years to come as she mentally deals with it...will haunt me for years.
I am disgusted and am writing to your President with the website attached...I have no idea if he will ever see it BUT in my own country (and yes we have problems too ) I would wite to my Prime Minister...I can do no less for this lady.
Please pass my sincere best wishes to her that she recovers...and I hope she sues the whole lot of them successfully.
ps. this comment is from Susan Jones UK. your upload won't let me post just my name :)
I have written to your President. a copy of which is posted here
ReplyDeleteSir
with the greatest of respect I received the link copied here from a website which supports people suffering from abuse of a variety of natures.
As a victim myself I try to be supportive of such sites providing they appear genuine and honest.
The footage displayed is MOST distressing and for a country that promotes justice I can see none evident at all in this footage. If it is indeed genuine, it is a blot on your countries honour and despicable behaviour from what is persons acting as representatives of your country. I appeal to you sir, (even though I understand how busy you are) to watch this video and visit this site and I beg you sir, if this is a truthful video...address this injustice.
the web address sent to me is the www.
timesupblog.blogspot.com
under the title Strip Search
Regards
Susan Jones
I have received an automated reply but I have done all I am able at this time.
Anny, while I am one of your strongest supporters, I have to disagree with you on this issue. It is very clear that people responding to your post are not Law Enforcement Officers. First, this video has been edited, clearly not showing events that lead up to the strip search. Second, a person that is a suicide risk can use the smallest article of clothing to actually succeed. Yes, even a pair of panties, or a bra can be used to commit suicide. Third, the "victim" in the video is physically struggling with the officers, enraged. From what I am able to see in this obviously shortened video, is officers are trying to restrain the woman, using standard control holds, while you can clearly hear the officers calmly trying to reassure her and calm her. Fourth, in my 22 years of experience, I have seen MANY incidents in which when the only "witness" is a family member or close friend, they will often exaggerate an officers actions into being excessive, due to their emotional attachment. You can see that she has no injuries to her face, as reported. No one wants to be arrested, restrained and stripped of their clothing! But, there are definitely times when this must be done! I am not defending anyone, I am only saying that there is very limited evidence to what actually occurred. Based on what I see, the actions taken by these officers is justified. Not pretty, but justified.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am shocked although not surprised. I have heard the same thing going on here in Canada. I had experienced a violent episode with a local city police officers as well.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter, who was 4 months old at the time, had contracted a sever flu bug (one that normally hits toddlers). My doctor had order the meds she needed to stop the diarrhea, projectile vomiting and the dehydration that this causes. I was a single mom at the time (23 yrs old) but had a great support system. I was exhausted and wasn't thinking straight the night before this. I ended up talking with an emergency social worker who was aware of all that was going on. This social worker is part of team that has an officer with them.
When 911 gets a call they are to dispatch this team immediately. So I am unaware of this drama that is about to unfold. I had gotten her medication and had given it to her; it settled her so that she finally stopped screaming. Now what had happened prior to this was the doctor had phoned it in, I went to get it and for some reason the store had closed 5 minutes early. So i had to contact my doctor again and have him phone it in to another pharmacy, the closest one was a 1/2 hour bus ride away (15 there and 15 back). A good friend of mine was looking after her so I could get her meds.
My little girl screamed the whole time because of the pain she was in. So I got her meds picked her up from my friends, gave her the meds and she finally slept. She hadn't slept in 2 days which meant I hadn't slept in 2 days. So I put her in her crib with our cat (very protective cat). The cat was always alert as my daughter had sleep apnea, so she was on a heart monitor (this was before they developed specialized machines for apnea). The cat wold alert me if I didn't respond right away. Smokey was my dearest friend.
So a half hour later, I get a knock on my apartment door. Now this building is extremely secure. NOBODY gets in unless they are buzzed in, so I assumed it ws one of my friends. This building was also built by the Women's Centre so even if you were a couple the lease was always in the woman's name. I had always felt safe there until this one night.
So I open the door, it was the local police, 2 male officers. they said they were investigating a call of child abuse as someone called it in. I was calm and asked why car 67 hadn't responded. Well the next thing I knew I was slammed into the wall, my nose was broken, by one officer. The other started searching my apartment and went into my daughters room. He stripped her of her nighty and took the leads off. So the monitor went off. My daughter started screaming which set off my cat and she attacked.
The cop drew his gun, he was going to shoot my cat! So another knock at the door...this time the building security show up as they have been trained to respond when the monitor was going off for to long. She took in everything and demanded to know what was going on, in fact already had 911 on the line. She asked for car 67 now. They were sent for. they showed up and the social worker (the same one I had been working with) gave them a dressing down like you wouldn't believe. I was taken to the hospital to have my nose fixed.
He calmed the baby down and got someone in to look after her. He also made sure my cat was alright (she was).
The upside to all of this was the one officer was fired (the guy who drew the gun) the one that slammed me into the wall was given desk duty and moved out of our area after being given sensitivity training. He was not happy about listening to a bunch of "feminists". I was able to give a victim impact statement. I was scared of police knocking on my door for a long time.
Now some of my best friends are police and work with the police in a professional manner. Some are in it for the power, others are in it because the genuinely want to help people.
To the "Anonymous" just above me.... how do you know her face wasn't injured? They blurred her face! Yes, police brutality do happen so stop defending the police who abuse victims! There was a video showing a police officer in Canada shoving a disabled a woman down to the ground and walking away for absolutely no reason. How do you justify that? No, this video doesn't show anything about what happened before the strip search but I believe it happened because it does happen. Some police officers believe that just because they have a badge, they can do whatever they want. A disabled woman walking past a police officer, minding her business then the police officer pushes her to the ground and walks away. How do you justify that? A mentally disabled young man was beaten by the police for being "slow." How do you justify that? The man was causing no harm to the police. How do you justify the actions of the police? An elderly woman was drunk and the police beat her. So it's okay to beat up an old lady just because she was drunk? I respect what the police does, trying to protect people but if they promote violence by beating citizens, people they are supposed to protect and beating them when they could've taken other actions without violence, I have no respect at all for them.
ReplyDeleteCora, thank you for posting this. Maybe this will give some of those "police brutality" supporters some new perspectives.
ReplyDeleteAnny, I read and saw this video 2 years ago and thought it was horrific then, and I still do. These officers violated her in every way. What is frightening is it could happen to any of us because officers think they have the power to do any...thing they want. My Father was an officer for 25 years and he would never have done something like that to anyone. Times have changed and it shows just how violent the world is in every aspect. I pray that she finds some sort of peace in her life. She is going to remember that always. Bless you, EchoRose
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said QUOTE "Based on what I see, the actions taken by these officers is justified. Not pretty, but justified."
ReplyDeleteBS! For one thing there are enough women there to do the job, there was NO REASON for men to be there.
Plus I have investigated this case for quite some time, there are a LOT of details that never came up in any news sources.
The cops lied time after time.
This is the BCI report that Agent Christy S. Palmer sent to John D. Ferrero, Prosecuting Attorney Stark County Ohio.
Dated April 16, 2008 BCI Case #: SI-76-08-14-0147
This is part of page 3
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/?action=view¤t=BCI-Report.jpg
Sheriff Swanson has ALWAYS maintained that Steffey was ASKED & REFUSED to remove her cloths.
But here’s the BCI’s OWN REPORT that PROVES this is a LIE!
And then they try to explain away their first lie with another lie, about why it was done this way without asking Steffey to do it voluntarily.
They are trying to say that Steffey was resisting enough that EIGHT people (4 women, 4 men) couldn't take the chance of ASKING her to remove her cloths, or EVEN TELL HER WHAT WAS GOING ON!!!
What a crock!!
@Anonymous you are right about the video being edited, the beginning of it came up "missing" from the sheriff's office. Even though the "missing" beginning was referenced by the state investigators in their report. I have tried repeatably to get the beginning of this video.
ReplyDeleteSomething NEVER reported in any of the news was the fact that he cops were trying to FRAME Steffey for the crime she had reported.
She was also charged with the assault, even though the cops KNEW she was the victim.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Incident-Report-Assault.jpg
Also you are wrong about Steffey not being hurt in the video, her nose is bleeding, her right nostril. The YouTube video's are too small to really see it clearly.
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/?action=view¤t=Cops2.jpg
And the fact that the "victim" is enraged, like Anne said WHO WOULDN'T BE!?!?! Attacked without warning or explanation.
And then we have the fact that Steffey was never suicidal in the first place. I have talked to the state investigators, the FBI, & the sheriff's dept...they ALL acknowledge that they knew she wasn't really suicidal, but used her statement to abuse her under the "color of law" anyway.
And the fact that you are trying to sell the same BS as Sheriff Swanson that 'lay people' don't understand what happened, sickens me.
But don't take my opinion for it, here's a retired police trainer & a legal analyst for a TV station that also thinks this is a crime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6UNzDCTtTE
So much for the "lay people" theory...
BTW go to YouTube and look at ALL the video's about this case.
To one of my "strongest supporters" (whomever you are...wish you would have posted your name):
ReplyDeleteAs always, we agree to disagree - everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion.
I would venture to say that most responding are not LEO's, correct.
However, regarding the video being edited - do you think that every media clip directly from news media sources on their websites and YouTube are edited as well which infact display the same damn treatment and procedure (strip search)?
As for events leading up to "the strip search" - the bottom-line is that if infact a "strip search" was warranted (which I have not found to be) the Stark County's Sheriff's Department policy and procedure clearly stipulates that MALES WILL NOT STRIPE SEARCH FEMALE PRISONERS. It is clear that the male officers did infact perform the strip search, you cannot get around this fact what-so-ever; they are in every video that was taken by the Sheriff's department.
Can you honestly say that by hearing Holly's pleads and quite obviously in pain that the excessive force used on this small woman was really necessary? Yes, the "victim" physically struggled, I sure as hell would if male officers were holding me down and taking my clothes off of no explanation to warrant a "stripe search". OH HELL YES! Again, THE MALE OFFICERS WERE NOT TO BE PERFORMING THE STRIPE SEARCH.
The picture posted was not taken the night of the incident nor the weeks following and the officers even removed the mattress that she was pinned against. Why would they remove it if there wasn't anything on it (like blood)?
Furthermore, while she was in the cruiser a female officer assured her that she was going to be "alright" (on tape from the cruiser's video) - which we all know didn't happen; Holly was NEVER "alright" nor protected by those who took an oath in Stark County.
I am taking a stance on brutal force, rape, victimization numerous times and much more. Who the hell wouldn't struggle? She was victimized prior to the 911 call, victimized by the officer at the home and victimized over and over at the jail. Would you as a civilian be okay with this?
Finally, if there is was "very limited evidence to what actually occurred" why has the Court awarded Mrs. Steffey a settlement? Court's do not just hand out settlement's for the hell of it. Obviously there was crucial evidence in Hope Steffey's case for same.
Based on what I have researched, read over and over and over, watched footage over and over and over and learned of the settlement THESE OFFICERS WERE NOT JUSTIFIED. UGLY, NOT JUSTIFIED.
@Anny The courts did not award money to Hope Steffey, the settlement was negotiated between the county's insurance company & Hope's lawyers.
ReplyDeleteI said all along this case, nor any of the others would ever see the inside of a court room, because there is NO WAY the cops could have justified what they did and all their criminal acts would have come out in court.
There is a lot more to this case that never made the news.
Swanson was always selling this story as a very drunk & abusive woman.
But the YouTube videos prove the abusive part is a lie.
And witnesses at the scene testified that Hope was not that drunk. You might be able to blow that off as her relation sticking up for her, but no news source ever reported that the BCI investigation found that the next shift in the jail ALSO reported that they could detect NO effects or smell of alcohol about Steffey, and this was only an hour and a half after they had assaulted her.
And they seem to gloss over the fact that Steffey went to the hospital after she was released and was diagnosed with a concussion.
Symptoms of a concussion include:
• Passing out.
• Not being able to remember what happened after the injury.
• Acting confused, asking the same question over and over, slurring words, or not being able to concentrate.
• Feeling lightheaded, seeing "stars," having blurry vision, or experiencing ringing in the ears.
• Not being able to stand or walk; or having coordination and balance problems.
• Feeling nauseous or throwing up.
I could go on & on, but I'd have to write a book to get it all in.
BTW I have been wondering WHY all these other agencies have covered for the sheriff's dept. Why did they overlook all the evidence of abuse?
The BCI investigation's evidence includes Sheriff Swanson ENCOURAGING officers to use their videos for "training purposes".
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y39/Zemo999/Tapes.jpg
I called the sheriff's office and asked if videos like the Hope Steffey video had been used for "training" . I said you can't use them right...with the privacy laws!??!
They said that they DO use them for training, but that they 'didn't think' Steffey's video had been used.
"REALLY?", I said, so then send me a copy of the signout sheet.
They said they would not release a copy, then after I kept asking they claimed that there was no signout sheet.
Right, first they won't release them, then they don't exist....just like a lot of video that came up "missing" in this case. I have to wonder how many agencies that looked into the abuses get copies of these tapes?? What other incentive would they have to keep the abuses quiet?
Thank you John55 for clarifying how the settlement was reached.
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, either way if an award or settlement was made in any case there is guilt. The insurance companies are not out to pay settlements for the hell of it; they will fight to the bitter end.
Again, any settlement WILL NOT give Hope her peace of mind, cure PTSD (as I am sure she is suffering from, who wouldn't) nor cure the long term effect of her assault that will impact her life FOREVER.
I commend Hope for standing her ground and pray that she is now able to begin her healing process. She has a long road ahead of her.
Hope is a forever changed woman; stronger but definitely changed.
Blessings to Hope and her family.
I was totally shocked to see the video and read Hope's story. I cannot imagine how she must have felt. Some people should not be officers of the law. The badge goes to their head. They go power crazy or something. No one should ever be treated the way Hope was even if they had committed some type of crime. I cannot imagine the terror she must feel when she hears police sirens or gets pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The officers in that video (both male and female) should lose their jobs. They abused their power and overstepped their authority. I would hope that this could make it into the courts as a criminal case against the officers. What they did was a crime. What Hope lives with every day is beyond my comprehension. Very shocking story.
ReplyDeleteWhat the police officers did to Hope is deviant and just plain sick. I hope they all get fired at some point. They are the one's who should be stripped search for sensitivity training. I've learned not to trust the Judicial System when one is the Victim.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all the police of Stark County can rot in hell for what they did to that poor lady,second when the police were called in the first place was it an off duty cop that assaulted her and they covered it from the begining?There are police who do not need or deserve to be cops(and they wonder why most are referred to as pigs)most police officers today are only in it for the power.I feel so bad for that poor woman she was terrified for her own safety,every single one of those pigs in that cell with her needed to be fired and put in jail.
ReplyDeleteWHAT THE F.....................EVERY GD ONE OF THEM SHOULD HAVE THEIR DAMN ASSES FIRED AND STRIPED IN FRONT OF PEOPLE JUST AS THE INNOCENT VICTIM WAS. HOW DARE THEM TREAT AN INNOCENT PERSON LIKE THAT. REAL CRIMINALS DON'T EVEN GET THAT KIND OF TREATMENT. DAMN I AM ONE PISSED BITCH.
ReplyDelete@Anon No it wasn't an off duty cop. Hope had someone call 911 for her, Nehemiah Preston. The brother of Leanne Preston, the woman that attacked Hope.
ReplyDeleteLeanne had also been arrested for assaulting this brother a month before this happened. And the cops knew that she had this previous assault charge against her. And I know this because they are on tape discussing it, which was part if the state's own evidence.
Also the cop had a body mic that he could have started his video ANYTIME he wanted, but he testified that he "didn't feel the need" to turn it on.
The states own evidence from their investigation found that Deputy Richard T. Gurlea Jr. did not turn on his video UNTIL he heard Ronald Boni say "Get the video, He's beating the shit out of her!" THEN he decides to turn on his video.
(So the jury ONLY sees Hope after she has been assaulted and is mad at the cop, and even this video is a HIGHLY edited 6 min out of a 54 min video.)
Ever hear that bit of the story from ANY news source?
Then there is this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXZxiyW3zAI
In it the "investigator's" don't want to interview Hope Steffey with her lawyers, but what this news broadcast fails to mention is that the "Investigator's" had no problem with interviewing the cops with their lawyers!
I have the state's own evidence to prove it, but you never heard about this from any news source either.
I have been trying to get all of this that was never covered by the news, or covered up by the cops, out in the public eye.
I want everyone to know these cops for the scum that they are.*
*NOTE As I stated before in the post above, the next shift in the jail did NOT back up the claims of Kristin Fenstemaker, Laura Rodgers, Tony Gayles, Richard T. Gurlea Jr., Andrea Mays, Brian Michaels and the LPN Coren Lennon and the jail psychologist Thomas Anuszkiewicz.
These people I would like to thank for bringing out the truth, and to prove not ALL cops are bad.
And again, I have even more examples, but like I said I'd have to write a book.
Is that bald guy the racist called Jim from Ohio (voicemail box 6969) who goes on the Studio 55 party line to racially abuse African Americans?
ReplyDeleteI know several law enforcement officers and even if I didn't, I would say the same thing. THEY ALL NEED TO BE FIRED AND BRUGHT UP ON CHARGES OF ASSUALT!!! That is unlawful to say that least. I hope and pray that this young lady can learn to deal with this! She will need therapy for years to come, if she is able to do this.
ReplyDeleteFire every "officer", if they can be called that, that was involved in this matter.
Holly you are in my prayers and thoughts!!! I hope you can learn to deal with this so that you can get on with your life.
The pig-thugs are just doing what they are instructed to do by their lie-based society. They did not break the law, because what constitutes a crime is technical, arbitrary, irrational, selective and illegitimate.
ReplyDeleteThe law and authority has no legitimacy in sanity, Truth and rationality.
It is 100% irrelevant if Hope committed a crime or not. Society commits all the crime actions itself, on a scale millions of times greater than the most demonized criminal.
http://www.Truthmedia.8k.com for the Forbidden Truth on society and crime.
BTW Authorities are quick to point out that Hope was convicted, but what they are NOT quick to point out is how much the jury never saw. I have read the court transcripts, and the trial was a joke.
ReplyDeleteHope also filed an appeal on the conviction, but couldn't afford to pursue it, so the other alternative to fight the conviction was to file a lawsuit. And since she won a settlement, I would think that's as good as acquittal of the charges.
I just wish all 5 women that backed up Steffey's complaint could get compensated too. (Only 1 other one did.)
Plus the three teen girls that were strip searched, they did get a settlement too.
The sheriff also had this posted on his webpage, UNTIL I pointed out that it looked like his policies were contributing to the deaths of inmates.
The last successful hanging in the Stark County Jail was in 2005. This inmate had visited the Stark County Jail 26 times prior and never exhibited any suicidal tendencies.
This time he too was placed on suicide precautions and was still able to take his own life.
http://www.sheriff.co.stark.oh.us/mr020219.htm (This link is no longer good, since I commented in the paper about it.)
NEVER exhibited ANY suicidal tendencies with 26 “visits”, UNTIL he too was placed on ‘suicide precautions’.
Looks as though their policy is contributing to suicides, not preventing them.
Stark County's sad story is just never ending...
@Anonymous: "You can see she has no injuries to her face" I can see blood clearly coming out of her nose.
ReplyDelete"But, there are definitely times when this must be done" Are you condoning sexual assault and torture? Why do you think they paid Mrs. Steffey 6 figures? Why do you think they paid another woman $49,000.00 for keeping her naked for 3 DAYS!
Did you hear these sexually sadistic deputies laugh when they exited her cell?
"Based on what I see, the actions taken by these officers is justified" Sorry, Deputy, you will never justify sexual assault and torture! Or is that you, Sheriff Swanson?
@ Anon QUOTE "I know several law enforcement officers"
ReplyDeleteI have a LOT of relation that are LEO's & I have friends on the sheriff's dept that I have worked with for years.
And its criminal actions like this that make their job at least harder, if not more dangerous.
QUOTE ""Based on what I see, the actions taken by these officers is justified"
The men can't be present during a strip search, or cavity search, and are not even supposed to be present when women are in the showers, but the sheriff (& you) think its ok for men, to not only be present when a woman is forcibly stripped, but to help remove her clothes!??! (EVEN if there are enough women already there to do it.)
And if a woman ‘reacts’ to being stripped by men & women, with spectators also standing there, while being videoed, the men are not ONLY allowed to RESTRAIN her, they are also allowed to pull her arms in submission holds, while yelling for her to “STOP IT”.
And then AFTER she is already stripped naked, its STILL ok for the men to put her in an arm bar submission hold, if she starts screaming while they force her crossed legs against her butt, while waiting to “change a mat”. Even though they have no explanation for what they are doing.
And its also ok for the camera, which is supposed to be on the prisoner at ALL times, to deliberately swing away so you can’t tell WHAT they are doing to her. Plus they have no explanation for what they are doing. No problem here too RIGHT?
===== Yeah, just having a couple men TWICE her size, and a couple women, JUST restraining her isn’t enough, if she doesn’t cooperate, they can also TORTURE her into SUBMISSION. =====
And then once they leave, these “professionals” can have a good laugh…I guess they didn’t realize the camera was STILL running.
THIS is what ALL the Swanson supporters are good with…RIGHT?
Because Swanson and the “investigators” are OK with it.
But let me make this crystal, I will NEVER be 'ok' with it!!
I would say it's an abuse of law enforcement power. They don't deserve to be in their position.
ReplyDeleteI am almost speechless and deeply disturbed about this case. The Stark County Law Enforcement's inaction makes them complicit in this act of terror. To treat anyone in this manner is reprehensible, and the Sheriff's attitude and actions throughout this process is criminal behaviour of the worst kind. Here is a case of a man whose office shields him from the consequences of criminal thought processes which lead inevitably to the terror perpetrated against (Steffey. His utter disrespect for women was evident from the beginning in his attitude to (Steffey) and the physical violence against her.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, the fact that female officers participated, shames their gender and does nothing for the women's cause. Its a pity public flogging for acts such as these is redundant, because if ever there was a case for it, it is this one.
Register them as sex offenders. How can they still be free and in power? I am a married male and had a hard time sleeping after watching this video. I was filled with rage to a level I've never experienced in my life. At a minimum, all involved should have been convicted of destroying evidence--all but 6 of 54 minutes of video missing? We know of at least 108 such strip searches from 99- 07, which included teens? Has anyone had or followed up on suspicions, I know at least I have, that these officers and their leadership have a personal collection of videos at home? What else could be their motivation to make this so routine that other female officers have bought into it? And it was for HER protection? How often do emergency rooms that receive suicide-attempt victims (which she was NOT) call in multiple males to forcibly strip females then leave them naked on a concrete floor, laughing as they exit? I served 20 years in the military and have been part of more suicide watch teams than I should have. Never did we strip them and leave them caged for hours. Surely, family would have volunteered if police were too busy reviewing their videos. What remains distressfully worrisome and unsettling is that, still, these officers are being protected by their leadership. Although not a violent person, I cannot understand how her husband is so calm in later interviews. But he is better than them. I understand conditioning of civil decency and that jeopardizing his own freedom wouldn't be what his wife wants or needs. Still, in the absence of justice or even a hint of remorse and with these officers still on the streets seeking out more victims with nothing to even slow them down, vengeance surely would have entered my mind. Where do you turn and what do you do when the protectors are become the predators? The citizens of Stark cannot possibly feel safe. In that area, I would certainly instruct my daughters to never call the police, until I'd managed to move out of town or even out of state. And what kind of impact must this have on honorable police women and men trying to do their jobs with a public terrified to call for help? No remorse, no firings, no convictions. This can only lead to vindication of these predators and more of the same across the country. The law has truly failed.
ReplyDeleteQUOTE "all but 6 of 54 minutes of video missing?"
ReplyDeleteAt her trial the jury saw ONLY 6 EDITED min out of the 54min's of the arrest video. BUT none of the video is before she was arrested, its only AFTER the cop had assaulted her & she was mad at him.
But by the Sheriff's policies he should have had the camera on as soon as he got there...so it's sort of up in the air as to if he had the video on or not...
And as I stated before Deputy Richard T. Gurlea Jr. did not turn on his video UNTIL he heard Steffey's cousin Ronald Boni say "Get the video, He's beating the shit out of her!" THEN he decides to turn on his video!
Then we also had the "missing" beginning of the strip video, I have had the sheriff's dept tell me they were going to release the video, but then it didn't exist. Then the state BCI investigation refers to it in their report, but then the head investigator claims it's just an "interpretation"....a "interpretation" for NON-EXISTENT video!?!??!
Does anyone out there have a "interpretation" for a NON-EXISTENT video???
I am a recent citizen of Akron, in Summit County just north of Stark. Anyone should be horrified of the abuses shown in this video, but as a woman, I can say I never intend to step foot in Canton or anywhere in Stark if I can help it. All of the so-called "officers" in this video should not be in any position of authority. This was commonplace? They stripped over a hundred women? Disgusting. I feel sick to my stomach imagining if I called them for help, was distraught, and they chose to attack me for not behaving as they order. It could happen to anyone. Of course someone who has just been through some sort of trauma is distraught...they attack her, make it worse, and then further brutalize her? Then there is no medical care when they purport that their bullying is for her safety?
ReplyDeleteI read she was unconscious before the cop came. Why was she not taken to be evaluated for head trauma? What if someone has a head trauma inflicted upon them in whatever gets the police involved, and has odd behavior related to that? Will Stark County officers again abuse them and ignore the urgent medical issues which they in no way evaluate to possibly become more grave?
How is Timothy Swanson still sheriff? He can't possibly be since this came out. Are we so apathetic to violence that police can do anything to us, and we all shrug it off? I had a great deal of respect for law enforcement, but now realize why so many people fear and hate them. Whatever the settlement was for the victim and her family, this department clearly has a lot to answer for to the residents in our region. They haven't settled and redeemed the cost of citizens being unable to trust them in the duties they are sworn to uphold. Shame on Stark County.
Ii think the guy who said the cops are justifed should be raped in his ass without lube. And for the so called cops I think any1 involved should be procuted and any1 who lett it happen should be shot. Those cops are lucky it wasent my wife bc I would take my own action...jail or not!!!DON'T GET INTO TROUBLE IN STARK COUNTY UNLESS U WANNA BE FINGERED
ReplyDeleteI live in canton ohio I have 2 kids my kids are in foster care the so called worker on my case she tell a lot of lies the public defender on my case he did not do noting on my case my kids are suffering in foster care I would like to start having group meetings here in ohio I would like for anyone to contact me we have to stop dcfs / family court & the police anyone can call me 330 268-9342 I need a lot of people to contact me a lot of parents / families are in need of help
ReplyDeleteI've watched some of the videos of yous assault Mrs. Steffey, and felt several things, helplessness, rage, revulsion, panic, terror, and not once before it ended did I feel like fighting. I didn't have several hours of sitting in a cell naked and hurt to think about it. Or months, that turned into years with an attorney and family and friends and the horror and memories haunting me every day either. But that still would have probably made me want it to all just go away even more. You are a very brave woman Mrs, Steffey. I'm glad you got the money. It would have been better to see those cops fired and see the system changed. Instead you have to live with knowing that no matter where you move cops are like this everywhere. The lesson here is, do not call the police. When dealing with them, do it with a attorney, in the daylight, with all the paperwork in your favor. If you can't afford an attorney...
ReplyDeleteI personally think that first of all Hope should have never gone to jail. The cop wannabe that thinks his badge and his gun make him a man, needs to be fired and arrested along with the sheriff and the rest of the butt-hole cops that participated. They all need a good old fashend butt kicking! If they will treat a victim this way, how do they treat their own families? Apperantly you cannot trust the police to do the right thing anymore. In the words of an old family friend..."Any cop that wants to be a crook needs to turn in his/her badge and stop hiding behind it."
ReplyDelete*UPDATE*
ReplyDeleteSwanson has used a 'Nurse Interview' video saying that Steffey threatened suicide.
What was never reported is that in Steffey's deposition to the grand jury she denies this is even her, and still maintains her original statement of "now or ever". Which was NEVER disputed at her trial by deputies.
ALSO no news source ever mentioned that the Ohio State BCI investigation found that she DENIED BEING SUICIDAL THREE TIMES!
When I contacted the investigators I asked a few questions to see just how through this investigation was.
I asked if any of the other 5 women had been interviewed to show a pattern of abuse at the jail? ANS: NO
Did you examine the camera that magically fixes itself, or see if it had ever failed before or after this case. ANS: NO
Did you polygraph anyone to verify the TRUTH of their statements? ANS: NO
Did you go over all the jail policies concerning a “suicide prevention”? ANS: NO
Do you have ANY evidence that a doctor actually put Steffey on suicide watch? ANS: NO
How can someone be TOO suicidal for a suit DESIGNED for the purpose?
ANS: None, no answer at all…NO ONE I have ever contacted could answer this question.
These people are SCUM!
Shocked , horrified and above all disgusted that people in a so called civilised country could behave like this. It just proves that there is a police state in the US no matter how much the government deny it. I would hope that the officers concerned are under lock and key for rape , sexual assault and several other offences but somehow i doubt it.
ReplyDelete