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SALT LAKE CITY -- The case of a man who claims he was beaten by Veterans Affairs police in Salt Lake looks very different from when KSL 5 News broke the story last November.
Greg Davis, who was accused of being drunk in public, claims he was assaulted by VA police in the parking lot of the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on his way home from the BYU-Utah football game.
A witness says he recorded the incident on cell phone video, but officers took it away. Now charges against Davis have been dropped, and new documents give us a closer look at what happened.
During the altercation, Davis suffered cuts, bruises and a broken wrist. "Oh, I'm still upset about it," he said. "You just can't send them out there with a badge and a gun."
Now, Davis' attorney says her client's story is being validated. A set of transcripts she has, complete with officer interviews, are the result of an internal investigation and federal lawsuit.
Regarding the missing cell phone video, a lieutenant says, "As for the decision to have the image deleted, I made that decision and will take the blame."
In an e-mail, a hospital official mentions a comment from a U.S. Attorney, "We should not have even taken the cell phone."
Then, the arresting sergeant refers to Davis being drunk that night: "I never saw him stumble. I never smelled alcohol on him."
According to the transcript, this entire incident stemmed from the fact that Davis was allegedly loud and belligerent. Yet, one officer admits he's never received any training when it comes to conducting a field sobriety test.
"There was no reason to even stop these people, let alone forcefully arrest them," said Alyson Carter, Davis' attorney.
Multiple charges against Davis, from public intoxication to interfering with an arresting officer, were recently dropped without prejudice. The civil case continues, and Davis wants a settlement.
Davis and his attorney are seeking damages up to $100,000. The Department of Veterans Affairs in Salt Lake City says they cannot comment on pending litigation.
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com
