Video Shows Ex-deputy Assaulting 65 Yo Inmate

[Faline]

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office released a four-minute video Monday that shows former jail deputy Troy Alan Steiner assaulting a 65-year-old man who had been arrested for drunken driving.

The jail surveillance video, released in response to a public records request from The Oregonian, shows Steiner waking Gary Willis Baumgardner, who is in his cell.

The inmate, who had broken ribs prior to his arrest, slowly rises and shuffles out the door and down a corridor. Baumgardner stops and glances back. Steiner approaches Baumgardner from the rear, shoves him into the wall and then pushes him to the floor.

Steiner, 44, outweighed Baumgardner by about 100 pounds.

A six-person jury found Steiner guilty of misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree assault and first-degree official misconduct. Last week, Steiner, who is no longer a deputy, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years on probation.

Steiner's abusive behavior is a rarity, said Sgt. Adam Phillips, Sheriff's Office spokesman.




Clackamas County Jail inmate abuse captured on video
This four-minute video was taken at the Clackamas County jail on Aug. 19, 2010. It shows Clackamas County corrections Dep. Troy Alan Steiner smashing Gary Willis Baumgardner into a wall and throwing him to the floor. Baumgardner had been arrested for DUII. Steiner was convicted of fourth-degree assault and first-degree official misconduct. Steiner testified that Baumgardner was aggressive and threatened to physically harm him.

In 2010 and 2011 the jail took in nearly 30,000 people accused or convicted of crimes. During that time there were 181 use-of-force incidents at the jail. An internal review panel concluded that all of incidents -- except for Steiner's action -- were justified, Phillips said.

"Everyone who saw (the video) said, 'That's not right,'" Phillips said.

Baumgardner could not be reached for comment.

Last year he filed a $1.5 million federal lawsuit against Steiner and the county. Baumgardner received cuts and bruises during the assault. He asked for punitive and non-economic damages.

The case was dismissed because Baumgardner failed to stay in contact with his attorney and was unavailable to participate in court proceedings. He could refile the lawsuit.

The county is now in settlement negotiations with Baumgardner, said his attorney, Clayton Huntley Morrison.

[kellyhound]

Stupid action cost him his job

[Pyramid_Head]

That was uncalled for

[Spiffyfable]

Upsetting but that cop is human too and I'm sure the old guy called him a small dicked fat fuck (of something along the line) which set him over the top!

[cortdb]

They just get you in the elevator over here in our county jail. No cameras in the elevator. You walk in, and you get carried out. It happened to me, no way to prove what happened though. Its a well known fact you dont smartoff to the pigs in the booking area this shit here was def wayyyyy uncalled for. the dude could barely move his legs before, and he couldve very easily been severely injured seein as how he had broken ribs before this. Punctured lungs are a easy thing to do with broken ribs.