(EDITOR’S NOTE, 7/31/19, 11:57 AM ET: An earlier version of this article indicated that the officer drew his sidearm. Further review of the video shows the officer drawing what could be a Taser device. The police report does not indicate whether or not a weapon was drawn on Morton. We’ve reached out to the Mississippi Highway Patrol for a statement on this incident, and will update the article in the event of a response.)
A video spreading rapidly on social media shows two Mississippi Highway Patrol officers violently arresting an unarmed black man for speeding.
In the video, the man — identified in the official police report as 34-year-old Robert Morton — is seen arguing with state trooper Brandon Berry while his friend, Porsha Shields, records the interaction. Trooper Berry informed Morton he was being detained, and Morton repeatedly asked him why. Then, Berry told him he was under arrest, and to put his hands behind his back.
Morton refused, and again asked why he was being arrested. Berry told him he was being arrested not only for speeding, but for resisting arrest. Morton again refused to put his hands behind his back, and pulled away when Berry attempted to apprehend him. At that point, Berry appears to draw what could be a Taser on Morton, while he waited for backup.
Backup arrived in the form of Mississippi state trooper James Scott, who almost immediately choked Morton after he arrived on the scene. Then, Scott and Berry are seen throwing Morton to the ground and violently arresting him.
“Get your fuckin’ hands behind your back,” Scott is heard saying as he puts his hands on Morton’s neck.
“Oh my goodness!” Shields yells as Morton is arrested. “You guys gotta do all that? You guys gotta do all that?”
(The video erroneously states that the officers were from Texas, rather than Mississippi.)
Black man was pulled over by a Texas cop without given a reason. The cop then tries to arrest him. After he asks multiple times, cop tells him he's being arrested for "speeding"
Not willing to comply w/ being handcuffed and arrested for speeding, waits for back up
This happens
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_)
Morton’s booking sheet confirms that he was charged with multiple traffic-related offenses, like driving in excess of 20 miles over the speed limit, a seat belt violation, and violating the state’s child restraint law. Morton was also charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The police report filed by Trooper Scott shows that Porsha Shields was also arrested.
In Mississippi, driving more than 20 miles over the posted speed limit is an arrestable offense, though the crime is only a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $100 for first-time offenders. Trooper Berry’s police report states that Morton was driving 101 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour zone.
Twitter user @_SJPeace_, who posted Shields’ video, pointed out that officers treated the gunman behind the in Charleston, South Carolina better than Morton was treated for a simple speeding offense. The Charleston shooter was indeed taken into police custody without any violent confrontation, and police even after he was jailed.
“Don’t EVER ask me why Kaepernick took a knee and why I kneel,” he tweeted. “BLACK LIVES MATTER!”
Dylan Roof was treated better than this and he killed 9 black people in church!
Don't EVER ask me why Kaepernick took a knee and why I kneel. BLACK LIVES MATTER!
(Also if you don't know a Muslim or have a Muslim friend, you do now. follow. Trying to dispel Muslim stereotypes)
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_)