Three new videos of the arrest of Ersula Ore have surfaced, showing different perspectives of the infamous take-down and allowing viewers to hear the concern of witnesses.
Arizona State University released the videos following a public-records request by New Times. Last week, ASU Officer Stewart Ferrin resigned, allowing the university to release records it previously had deemed legally protected.
In the first video, witness John Sinodis captures the arrest in full detail:
See also: -Officer Stewart Ferrin Resigns; ASU Reversed Findings of Second Incident
As you probably know, video of the May 20 arrest taken from Ferrin's dash-cam went viral after being aired in June by Channel 3 News (KTVK-TV), enraging viewers around the country and causing the publicity-minded university to take a closer look at the arrest -- even though it already had cleared the officer.
Last month, Ore submitted a $2 million notice of claim against ASU.
A report of the incident released this week by ASU backs up Ore's claim that Ferrin was too aggressive, stating that Ferrin had "no lawful basis" for the arrest.
Several interesting things can be seen and heard in the new videos.
"Hey, officer, you should just relax for a second," the male witness tells Ferrin as he watches the officer attempt to control Ore in the Sinodis video's first few seconds.
On full display is the zealousness, frustration, and anger that seems to have been experienced by Ferrin, who had confronted Ore over her alleged jaywalking as she crossed a closed street. Ore, for her part, is outraged and resisting Ferrin's attempts to get cuffs on her.
The dash-cam video captured much of that, too. But now, we can see how Police Assistant Daniel Hollendoner reacted to the altercation. He appears stunned and is of no help to either Ore or Ferrin.
As Ferrin wrestles Ore to the ground, causing the witness to exclaim, "Yo!" ASU Officer Mark Janda drives up and runs over to assist Ferrin. Janda climbs on Ore's back as Ferrin keeps her arm in a joint-lock.
"Why does it take two of you?" the voice of a female witness says.
"Yeah, what the hell is the problem?" says the man who's apparently holding the camera.
Janda and Ferrin lift Ore to her feet -- then Ferrin reaches out and pulls down Ore's skirt, which had become hiked up around her waist during the struggle. Incensed, she lashes out with the kick that helped result in her nine-month probation sentence on a misdemeanor resisting-arrest charge.
The new video does a good job of showing Ferrin's reaction to the kick -- he's ticked off and shoves Ore back over the hood of his patrol car.
"Hey, she's handcuffed, keep your hands off of her," the male witness says.
The two officers hold Ore in place as she talks to them (while dropping a few F-bombs.) Ferrin's legs are in a wide, fighting stance, like he's in a Sumo wrestling match.
As the pair takes Ore into custody, the male voice can be heard talking about his impressions of the incident -- and they're not good.
Sinodis declined comment for this article.
The second witness video by Darice Harris has a very clear view from a different angle, plus excellent audio.
In the Harris video, you can hear Ore ask bystanders to do something about her situation. Just before Ferrin throws Ore to the ground, the camera takes a tumble. But the owner sets it back up in time for the kick.
The third video, also shot by Sinodis, is of the aftermath, when Ore has a chat with police while she's cuffed and they're going through her stuff.
These videos helped ASU Police Chief Mike Thompson conclude that Ferrin should be fired for his behavior, even though he'd already been cleared by ASU, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, FBI and Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office.
After viewing these videos, do you think she should be asking for less than $2 million, or more?
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