2018 Video Shows a Miami Cop Use His Knee to Choke a Handcuffed Black Man and Break His Arm While Sitting On His Head During Unlawful Stop for Theft of His Own Car, Held Pretrial 2 Yrs on BS APO Case

From [FTP] After his run-in with Miami-Dade police, Keeler Harris is lucky to be alive. He was handcuffed and face down on the ground and cops still put a knee in his back as he muttered those often tragically fatal words, “I can’t breathe.”

Harris was accused of stealing his own car. He had not actually stolen the car, but when police approached him, he feared for his life — which was apparently justified — and then took off running.

When police caught up to him, Harris was taken to the ground as an officer begins punching him over and over as they handcuff him.

“I can’t breathe. My face is in the dirt,” Harris is heard saying as the officer repeats, “Do not get up.”

But Harris wasn’t attempting to get up, he wasn’t even moving at some points.

“He got handcuffed. He was face down in the grass against the fence,” says attorney Sebastian Ohanian.

The attorney says there was no reason for what happened next.

Another officer walked up and knelt down, putting his weight on top of Harris.

“He puts his knee on Keeler’s neck, choking him,” Ohanian said. “Grabs his wrist and puts him in a wrist lock.”

“No matter what had happened before, the actions at this point in time were not justified at all,” Ohanian said. “At all.”

Ohanian explained that the situation was nearly fatal for Harris and resembled the last moments of George Floyd’s life as cops squeezed the breath out of him.

“He’s handcuffed. He’s not moving at all. It’s a very sad video when you watch it. It’s emotional.”  Ohanian says police used excessive force. “It’s a George Floyd-type scenario,” he said. “Keeler is lucky to have left with his life.”

While police were on his back, and because Harris had his arms handcuffed behind his body, the cop’s knee snapped Harris’ arm in two.

“It’s shocking that someone could treat another human being in such a callous manner,” Ohanian said. Ohanian says the knee to Harris’ back caused several injuries, including a broken arm. “During this, he manages to break Mr. Harris’ arm,” he said. “It’s required a rod to be placed into it.”

THE FOURTH AMENDMENT IS AN ILLUSION. The Supreme Court has said flight alone cannot give rise to probable cause; it must be coupled with pre-existing reasonable and articulable suspicion. United States v. Sharpe, 470 U.S. 675, 706 (1985).  However, flight along with other specific factors may imply consciousness of guilt giving rise to a Terry Stop. As far as BW knows, no other circumstances exist in this case.  The initial stop appears to violate the 4th Amendment because it is a factually impossibility for this Black man to have stolen his own vehicle. However, such legal truths entirely miss the reality of authority. Brazen cops so frequently abuse their power that no Black pedestrian, motorist, juvenile, adult or Black professional of any kind—could make a compelling argument that so-called constitutional rights afford any real protection from cops.

Harris was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to go to trial next month on the 29th.

“There is not one point in the video where Mr. Harris hits anyone,” Ohanian said.

Miami-Dade Police released a statement saying, “The department has not received an official complaint. Professional compliance bureau is reviewing the incident.”