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A partially paralyzed inmate's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as Erie County Sheriff's officers used what appears to be a flashlight to break his teeth during a forced mouth search. The man, already suffering from nerve damage after being shot in the neck, repeatedly told officers he couldn't feel his left leg or walk properly due to his injuries.
The disturbing bodycam footage reveals a use of force incident that the sheriff's office later defended as necessary "to help the person," with officials finding no wrongdoing by any officers involved.
The Setup: A Vulnerable Inmate's Medical Crisis
The incident begins with the inmate in clear medical distress, telling officers about his stroke-like symptoms from a previous gunshot wound to his neck. He explains he cannot feel his left leg and is unable to walk due to nerve damage. Despite his obvious medical condition, officers decide to conduct a mouth search, suspecting he may have ingested contraband.
The man's repeated explanations about his paralysis and pleas to stop touching him set the stage for an escalation that medical experts would likely call dangerous for someone in his condition.
"Open Your Mouth or I'll Break Them Teeth"
What happens next crosses into territory that even seasoned law enforcement observers find shocking. As the partially paralyzed inmate refuses to open his mouth, officers can be heard making explicit threats about breaking his teeth. The bodycam captures the sound of what appears to be a flashlight being used as a weapon against his mouth.
Officers continue demanding compliance while the man screams in apparent pain. The disconnect between his medical vulnerability and their aggressive tactics becomes impossible to ignore.
The Aftermath: Threats of Manslaughter Charges
After the forced mouth opening, officers transport the bleeding inmate to Erie County Medical Center by ambulance. But even then, the intimidation continues. Officers tell the injured man that if he dies from whatever he may have swallowed, he'll face manslaughter charges.
The threat seems particularly cruel given that he's already been severely injured and is now dealing with what appears to be additional trauma to his mouth and teeth.
Official Response: "No Wrongdoing Found"
Perhaps most disturbing of all is the official response from the Erie County Sheriff's Office. Despite the graphic bodycam evidence, officials concluded that no wrongdoing occurred. They characterized the officers' actions as an attempt "to help the person."
This official stance raises profound questions about use of force policies and accountability when dealing with medically vulnerable inmates.
The Questions That Remain Unanswered
The bodycam footage ends without revealing the full extent of the inmate's injuries or the final outcome of his medical treatment. Did he survive his ordeal? What was the extent of the dental damage? And perhaps most critically, how does a sheriff's office justify this level of force against someone already partially paralyzed?
The complete unedited bodycam footage reveals details that transform this from a simple use of force incident into something far more disturbing.
