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A cop accused of beating a transgender man says he was bitten first, but the man's lawyer shared medical records that showed 'no bite marks'

Jul 27, 2023, 22:44 IST
Insider
A still from a video of Emmett Brock's arrest.YouTube
  • A cop accused of beating a transgender man wrote in a police report that the man bit him first, the man's lawyer says.
  • But the man's attorney shared medical records showing a doctor found "no bite marks."
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A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy accused of beating a transgender man says the man bit him first, "with enough force to puncture [his] skin" — but the man's lawyer shared medical records with Insider that found "no bite marks" on the cop.

Emmett Brock, a 24-year-old transgender English teacher, told NBC News that the February incident began when he flipped off a deputy from his car.

Brock told the outlet. the deputy then began tailgating him, without ever turning on his lights to indicate he wanted Brock to pull over.

Brock then pulled into a 7-Eleven parking lot, with the officer, Deputy Joseph Benza, still following closely behind, NBC reported.

Brock's lawyer, Tom Beck, shared surveillance footage that shows Brock getting out of his car, and Benza almost immediately tackling Brock to the ground.

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In the video posted to YouTube, Brock can be heard repeatedly screaming "Help," "I can't breathe," and "You're going to kill me" as the deputy chokes him and punches him in the face.

In a police report about the incident — which Brock's lawyer shared with Insider — Benza wrote that Brock repeatedly bit his hand "with enough force to puncture my skin." Benza wrote that he then punched Brock in the face and head "approximately 8 times" to get him to stop biting him.

But, Brock's lawyer shared medical records with Insider showing that an urgent care doctor had found "no bite marks" on Benza immediately after the incident.

"The absence of bite marks that soon after the alleged biting demonstrates the fabrication of being bit and having the flesh torn by teeth as the report Benza wrote to justify the indefensible head strikes," Beck told Insider.

"The on-scene paramedic was consulted by Benza for a hand injury caused not by a bite but a fall and no report of alleged biting," Beck added.

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After the incident, Brock was taken to jail and forced to show officers his genitals to prove his identity, Beck alleged.

Beck said Brock's parents were able to raise the $100,000 bail to get him out of jail.

"They got him out knowing he's trans and he was in a dangerous position in a jail," Beck said.

Brock has been charged with resisting arrest and battery of a police officer, and he's lost his job as a teacher over the charges, according to NBC News. Brock and his lawyer are continuing to fight the charges.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told Insider it "takes all use of force incidents seriously" and that it is investigating the matter.

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