Transcript Shows Officer Used Racial Slur In Beating

By Matthew Campbell

Story Updated: Oct 16, 2010 at 3:19 AM EDT

A transcript of an alleged police beating caught on camera reveal at least one person used the n-word when referring to Melvin Jones III. Jones' attorney alleges the person uttering the word was a Springfield Police officer.

On the night of the beating, police allege Jones was resisting arrest. The transcript shows an officer yelling, "put your arms behind you, you f--kin' n---er!"

That was the only time the transcript shows an officer using the racial slur.

Accusations of Jones resisting are also documented. At one point, the witnesses who recorded the event says, "look--he trying to run."

The transcript, created by Angelsea Critical Evidence, show officers repeatedly told Jones to cooperate.

Several times, officers are recorded saying, "Hold your arms under, arms down," and "put your arms down."

After the incident, police have maintained they used excessive force because they felt threatened. The transcript details, on at least one occasion, police did reference the possibility that Jones had a gun.

"Does he have a gun in this car," one officer asks.
"What's he got in that car," asks another officer.

The beating on tape continued for several minutes. When another siren sounds, an officer is quoted as saying, "believe me, enough. Enough."

Even with the earlier slur documented, a clerk magistrate would not add a civil rights violation to Asher's charges, possibly because the transcript could never identify which officer said it.

Jones' lawyer, Jared Olanoff, says he may appeal the decision.