Many are wondering if cops in Pennsylvania savagely beat a teenager accused of shoplifting and fleeing. The mother of 14-year-old Joseph Williams certainly believes the Tullytown police did so, although the district attorney for the county disagrees with her accusation.
Marissa Sargeant posted a photo to Facebook of her son last Friday, with supporters demanding justice after she claims Tullytown police officers physically assaulted the 9th grader.
From Philly.com:
“The picture speaks 1,000 words. They brutally beat him,” Sargeant said in her Levittown apartment. “If he did fall on his face, why does he have scrapes and bruises all over his whole face, everywhere. Why is his nose broken? Why is his nostril lifted off his face? Why is both of his eyes black and swollen?”
The injuries to Williams’ face are brutal. Both of the boy’s eyes are swollen shut, and their are several deep scrapes and bruises on his nose, forehead, and cheeks. The teen’s mother also says that her son’s nose was broken and police also used a Taser weapon to detain Williams.
While Sargeant sticks to her claims, adding that her son doesn’t want anyone to look at him and will be “physically damaged” for life, Bucks County DA David Heckler says Williams’ injury came after he gave chase to police after being caught stealing an item from a Wal-Mart last Tuesday.
“He should have stopped when police told him to,” said Heckler. “You take off running at a full clip and someone pulls your legs out from under you, and you’re cuffed from behind, you’re going to break your fall with your face.”
Tullytown Police Chief Dan Doyle was not available for comment, but said over the weekend to a local paper that his department is investigating the matter. There may also be video footage of the event, as Williams said he was unconscious and doesn’t remember details. Sargeant also added that an adult influenced her son to shoplift.
Hit the next page to see a large photo of Williams’ injuries.
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Photo: Marrisa Sargeant/Facebook
