Thread by @ScottHech

NEWS: San Francisco Public Defender's office releases brutal footage. As a caution to all still inclined just to take police word for it. "But for the videos, we wouldnt have been able to show the officers told a story that didnt match the evidence." More:sfpublicdefender.org/news/2021/12/c…

Brazen lies: "3 officers, including the one who opened the passenger door, testified Mr. Cordero had “pinned” an officer in car door. However, surveillance showed the officer moved out of the way before the door closed. contradicting the officers’ testimony given under oath."

"The officer who moved out of the way immediately pulled Mr. Cordero off of his motorcycle & began punching and kneeing him while he was on the ground. 3 more officers joined in & assaulted Mr. Cordero to the point that he had to be transported to the hospital by an ambulance."

"In addition to punching & kneeing Mr. Cordero, an officer stepped on his ankle while he was handcuffed & attempted to pull his helmet off while the chin strap was still fastened. They claimed he was resisting arrest in order to justify the unlawful assault on him." All a lie.

Cops said he was "resisting arrest" to justify beating a man into hospitalization. Body worn cameras showed differently: "Mr. Cordero can be heard saying, “I’m not resisting,” “I’m sorry. It was an accident,” & “You’re hurting me,” which did not convince the officers to stop."

Chief Defender of San Francisco, Mano Raju: “This is a case about credibility. This is the type of systemic abuse that public defenders see regularly as we defend people against police reports that are presented as objective fact-based documents when they are not.”

Public defenders didn't need to release this footage. Trial was over. But: “Cases like this are a cautionary tale & serve to inform the public who may become jurors that the words inked in police reports should be scrutinized and taken with skepticism.” sfpublicdefender.org/news/2021/12/c…

Public defenders naming names: "Officer Steven Oesterich, Christopher Cotter, Michael DeFelippo, Brendan Williams, Officer Aaron Cowhig, & Officer Anthony Sharron." Will the SF DA stop relying on these officers & investigate all their past cases?sfpublicdefender.org/news/2021/12/c…

"The Public Defender’s Integrity Unit is in the process of filing complaints with the Department of Police Accountability on a range of issues including excessive force & dishonesty." Go get them. They used brutal force. Then lied about it. Should be fired.sfpublicdefender.org/news/2021/12/c…

Proud to work with @sfdefender & so many other defenders throughout the country who see & understand systemic injustice, have perspective & expertise to share that is often overlooked, & are committed to justice inside & out of court.