Stanley Miller Charged With Evading Officers, Auto Theft
Prosecutors on Friday filed charges of auto theft and
evading an officer against a man who was struck repeatedly with a
flashlight during a videotaped arrest after an auto pursuit and foot
chase. Stanley Howard Miller, 36, has been imprisoned on a parole
violation since the June 23 arrest and his arraignment on the new
charges will await a hearing on the parole matter, the district
attorney's office said. The complaint asks for bail to be set at
$150,000. If convicted, Miller could be sentenced to five years and
eight months in prison. Miller, convicted twice previously for car
theft and burglary, led police on a half-hour auto chase after they
spotted him running a stop sign in a car that was reported stolen,
authorities said. News helicopters videotaped the chase, which ended
with Miller jumping out of the car and running along a flood control
channel and then appearing to surrender to an officer who forced him to
the ground. Miller was then swarmed by other officers, including
Officer John J. Hatfield was seen striking him 11 times with a metal
flashlight. [more ]
Reporter Betty Pleasant (LA Wave) maintains that the beating
was longer and even more viscious than what is shown on the tape. She
claims to have an unedited version that continues for an additional 8
minutes. [more ]