Video contradicts officer's tale about head-slamming incident

By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 13, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.

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August 13, 2008

5:40 p.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

A policeman LYING UNDER OATH????

THIS IS NEWS???
August 13, 2008

5:43 p.m.

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LazyR writes:

And this is supposed to be a surprise to us, how????
August 13, 2008

5:43 p.m.

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sheepherder writes:

The suspect lies his arse off too, but thats expected. Cordova (head slam cop) should be arrested. As for the rest of the video...don't be a moron, flick my hat off and I will kick you sorry butt into the gutter!
August 13, 2008

5:44 p.m.

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7_ogNiOj writes:

Where are all the cop apologists now? You expect this type of thug with a $50 million Federal slush fund to "protect" the First Amendment rights of protesters at the DNC?
August 13, 2008

6:24 p.m.

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wow writes:

I'd be interrested to find out at what point the undercover cops identified themselves.
August 13, 2008

6:36 p.m.

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global writes:

I saw the video tape. It is clear that suspect was on his stomach with his hands behind his back with two offices on him. He was not resisting and Cordava took a hold of the suspects back of his head and slammed his face hard into the street. This was a clear assault.

I know that cops have to deal with sometimes real low lives in their job. It is not an easy job. But Cordava and all of the other cops clearly broke the law. If you are in a position of trust, as are officers of the law, you must uphold the law. That means if you made a mistake and your anger got out of hand you admit to it and take your lumps. If these officers lied under oath about this situation they I call into question every other official statement that they have made in the past.

These kinds of officers need to be removed from the force. They have no right to be police officers. There actions will cause the every case that they have been involved in to be appealed. When you figure the cost of all those appears and the cost of the damages to Mr. Heaney, it will turn out to be big $$$ and the taxpayer will have to pay.

Firer these cops ASAP and charge them for the crimes they have committed. If you are a cop and you lie and are an abusive bastard, quit. You have no right to be a cop. That is to important of a position to have people like you on the force. Plus, you give all of the other cops in this city and state and bad image. Most cops do there job very professionally.
August 13, 2008

6:43 p.m.

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Vector049 writes:

What else is new?
August 13, 2008

7:15 p.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

"

ssqured writes:

The police are nothing more than a cross section of our society.
There are good ones and bad ones. Hopefully, we've just weeded
out another bad one. Don't indict all for the actions of one. "

An old saying applies here and to the front runner at the DNC:

" You are known by the company you keep "

So what will it be? Justice or JUST-US?????
August 13, 2008

7:34 p.m.

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ohpa51 writes:

the denver police think they are above every body, not one thing will happen to the officers who are at the center of this. it never has and it never will. they have a diffrent set of laws for them and for the real people who pay them. they lie all the time it is part of there training, just like other goverment law officers at there training they are told every thing the people tell is a lie, so it is the only thing they know tell a lie and have the rest of the cops with you to tell the same lie. the city will not one thing to these officers
August 13, 2008

7:35 p.m.

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happymike44 writes:

Well gee whiz the cops lied what a lovely group of people.
I wonder when it is their turn to face charges.
I hope they don't whine and cry about being sued or possibly imprisoned.
I hope this guy sues the blue right off these officers and presses charges against them
The police are no better then the thugs they are hired to protect us from.
What goes around comes around is what comes to mind.
Anybody see the video of the cop body slamming the bicyclist in times square.
He shoved the guy off the bike and then beat him.
So why are the police doing this when they know people now carry video cameras.
Because they believe they can and will do anything they want to anyone they want.
August 13, 2008

7:41 p.m.

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windskull writes:

A Denver police officer appears to have lied under oath when he denied slamming a man's face into the ground during an arrest, according to court transcripts reviewed by the Rocky Mountain News.

Yep the biggest gang in the world, how much time do you think Joe Citizen would be doing right now for what this same reporter would NOT have thought twice about omitting "appears to" in referring to the willful act of perjury by this tin starred gun wielding goon & the group lie clearly depicting the whole damn lot unfit to hold positions of trust as it is they who are endangering society.
August 13, 2008

8:04 p.m.

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Rizzo writes:

What a bunch of bull! If you do not want to get your butt kicked, then dont mess with police. The PD should be allowed to smack people around especially people who show them disrespect. It is the law of the street. It's big boy rules out there!

Why is it that the people who always complain about thier treatment by the police have the most contact with them? The average Joe Citizen has little or no contact with the PD. Stop looking for trouble and you wont me so mistreated by the PD.
August 13, 2008

8:23 p.m.

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Chadley25 writes:

It would be nice if the "blue line" didn't exist and the honorable, good cops -- the ones we need and value in our society -- would help rat out the ones who abuse their power. In the YouTube era, where every other person has a cell phone with video recording capabilities, I hope the less-honorable police officers will think twice before acting so unprofessionally and abusively.
August 13, 2008

8:31 p.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

Interacting with the DPD:

" I'm giving you a ticket for a broken taillight "

" What broken taillight? "

( *smash* ) " That broken taillight "
August 13, 2008

8:39 p.m.

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Delcycer writes:

Rizzo, your comments are willfully ignorant and demonstrate a common and dangerous misconception on the part of many Americans--the earlier comment by The_Punnisher highlights a sometimes deadly reality.

Police in a perfect world would represent the virtues of a free society, and would be universally honorable, altruistic, duty-driven and dedicated to the laws they are sworn to uphold.

This is not a perfect world, and police are indeed a cross section of society at large. That means that some of them are indeed upright, honorable men and women. Some of them are sociopaths, some of them are good people with anger and control issues, some of them are downright scoundrels.

The police must be held to a strict standard of accountability and behavior--they are the only members of our society with a legal monopoly on the use of deadly force. To do otherwise, to play by what you call 'big boy rules' (which sounds to me like "schoolyard rules" for pre-adolescents), is to put every citizen at the risk of unforgiveable tyranny.

There are plent of examples around the globe of societies which do not place constraints on the behavior of their armed government representatives, and I don't think you want to live there.
August 13, 2008

8:51 p.m.

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cooperjtd writes:

we all know you can't trust any politician. But at least I can sleep soundly knowing we can still trust police officers!!
August 13, 2008

8:53 p.m.

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tomhung writes:

Rizzo-
I am what you would call an average joe citizen. I have no criminal record at all, and have never been to jail. I have lived in Ft Collins for the past 10 years and have no incidents with the police here. With Denver and Aurora cops on the other hand I have been harrassed and witnessed their power trips and excessive force on others. In the cases with myself, I am sure it was mostly my appearance that caused problems, by having long hair and tattoos. Which last I checked was legal.
August 13, 2008

11:15 p.m.

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happymike44 writes:

I guess when the police beat the crap out of a nice housewife from highland ranch.
Who happens to be related to a F.B.I. agent then maybe these little piggies will get their bacon friend.
Also don't believe a word the cops say they would put their own mother in prison to show their tough on crime.
So these guys should face perjury charges for their little sin of omission.
That is what they call it when they don't tell the whole truth.
You and I would be trying to cling to our virtue from the prison population.
So I hope they will enjoy their new prison wardrobe and the yummy new cuisine in the big house.
So guys good luck and don't forget the soap on the rope.
August 14, 2008

3:24 a.m.

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Domino writes:

Like all DA's before him, Michael Morrissey will throw the case. The DA must depend on the police, therefore the DA should never be the one to prosecute police. The must be a special prosecutor.
August 14, 2008

5:48 a.m.

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ksells writes:

I've seen the good and bad from the DPS recently. I've seen a DPS Sargent warn me that if I fight a ticket he would personally perjure himself to say that he was a witness to the investigation, even though he arrived much later. I had a traffic accident where a motorist drove me off the road and as a result I had a mild concussion and the police treated me with kind concern, even though my actions seemed to lead to the ID that I was driving DUI. And because this day was Thanksgiving I would think that the Denver Sheriffs office would honor a "make own bail" statement. The lady refused saying "You know why you're here". But the staff seemed more interested in surfing the net. It seems that ladies handbags were more important. It was fortunate for me that I have a friend who is an attorney who knew other attorneys so that I wasn't sent up to the "second floor" and all of sudden they were very polite. Oh yes, my offense was not paying a fine for my dog being without a leash and not being in court to answer. The fine being one that I thought I had paid. But even then, the sheriffs deputy that released me was very kind. Which proves the point that bad cops poison the system and hurts those cops who want to make a difference.
August 14, 2008

6:05 a.m.

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ItsJustme writes:

"Heaney says he only reached to flip Cordova's baseball cap off his head..." Well, there's your problem right there Mr Heaney.

You don't spit in the wind, you don't take the mask off the Lone Ranger, and you don't flip the baseball cap off a detective who has to color of authority.

This does not justify smashing Mr Heaney's head into the ground, but it certainly justifies his arrest.
August 14, 2008

6:07 a.m.

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ksells writes:

A clarification to my previous post. I came to be arrested after my traffic accident was a result that I had a bench warrant for failure to appear for the failure to have my dog on a leash citation.
August 14, 2008

7:07 a.m.

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Billy writes:

Boy Sheepherder sure talks a tough game in here. I'm betting he is the first to call police when needed though. Yeah there are some bad apples in the police depatment, but far more good. Quit dogging them out and become supportive, one day you might need their help.
August 14, 2008

7:09 a.m.

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BroncoRick69 writes:

F the cops. This probably happens everyday, there just isn't always someone with a video camera around. Wake up people. Police are control freaks. Thats why they aspire to be police in the first place. As for the people on here that think that "not all cops are bad", congratulations. You've been fooled.
August 14, 2008

7:13 a.m.

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LingLingfor_prez writes:

I feel bad for the cops that are doing a good job and have undercover idiots like this go over the line. The video was bad enough and the hitting the teeth on the ground (not to mention the sound of it) should warrant an extra charge for the cops involved.
August 14, 2008

7:21 a.m.

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Buckwheat writes:

This is one instance where they need to put this guy in the slammer for about a week where he can't hide behind his badge, and we'll se what a tough guy he is. Unfortunately these rouge cops get away with this sort of thing on a daily basis. Wanna stop it? Throw the Chief in with him next time.
August 14, 2008

7:42 a.m.

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MattGuyver_007 writes:

Cops need to show more respect to those that they supposedly 'Protect and Serve'. Too often they antagonize the suspect, innocent or guilty, and do a very poor job of diffusing the situation.

I'm a law abiding citizen in every respect but I'm ALWAYS nervous when a cop is nearby- why is that?
August 14, 2008

7:55 a.m.

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freedomfighter1 writes:

When the government fears the people, you have liberty. When the people fear the government, you have tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
August 14, 2008

8:18 a.m.

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Father16 writes:

There should be a no tolerance rule with these actions, the police officer should be terminated.
August 14, 2008

8:22 a.m.

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youme writes:

FIRE THE OFFICER
August 14, 2008

8:24 a.m.

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youme writes:

demand that he be fired
go to the streets now and demand this or soon it will be your turn for his aggression
August 14, 2008

8:49 a.m.

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buffsblg writes:

I always believe that those accused are innocent until proven guilty and I afford that even to cops who appear to be caught red handed lying through their teeth. While the video is strong evidence I will strive to keep an open mind.

It is frustrating however, that when a citizen is arrested, the police spokesman have no problem getting on television and describing at length why the person they arrested is guilty as sin. If it is a big case, we get a press conference with preening police officials bragging about the genius of their work. However, when a cop is accused, all we get is a bland " we will fully investigate" statement. It seems that with the Denver PD, the constitution only applies to those who wear the uniform.
August 14, 2008

8:51 a.m.

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Scott writes:

Assuming the cop lied and the video proves it out (I haven't seen the video), FIRE HIS A$$. Then file assault charges. If the DA doesn't press charges then it is just another POS lawyer.

I've known a bunch of cops in my life and they have all been decent officers of the law. The cops that are dirtbags need to be punished. They soil the reputation of the good cops.

Scott
August 14, 2008

8:53 a.m.

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BJG writes:

Don't people go to jail for perjury....oh I forgot only civilians, not officers of the law.
August 14, 2008

8:53 a.m.

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Buckwheat writes:

Kinda reminds me of the old days and Rizzo's Raiders (then Mayor) back in Philly. Man they beat everyone. Equal opportunity AZ Kickers they were.;
August 14, 2008

9:03 a.m.

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ML writes:

Book 'em, Dan-o!
August 14, 2008

9:04 a.m.

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buffsblg writes:

The other people who get off on perjury charges are buddies of George W, even after they are convicted.
August 14, 2008

9:20 a.m.

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pinewood writes:

The other person who gets off on perjury charges is Bill Clinton even after he is impeached.
August 14, 2008

9:31 a.m.

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Fitzy31 writes:

Denver cops are dirtier than the hogs up in Greeley!
August 14, 2008

9:32 a.m.

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Cwillyrun1 writes:

lingling, good idea on extra charges. When the police abuse their powers, there should be additional charges for failure to maintain the trust the public has in law enforcement. I'm not surprised it happened, since too many officers are nothing but legalized criminals......... criminals with a badge. It's not to say all are bad because there are good ones out there, but enough of them aren't and it gives us reason to not trust our law enforcement. Many of them do have a power trip going on though. I was pulled over once by DPD on 6th Avenue WB, in a '65 Mustang (over 10 years ago). It was right after I got on from I-25, and the officer walks up and looks under my car and tells me I'm driving with illegal mufflers. BS!!! I told him he was wrong. He then said the car was too loud, without having anything to measure the noise level. This is despite the fact I had driven next to dozens of police cars without even being looked at before. I noticed he had a ride-along and it was his way of showing he was tough and doing his job. That's called legal police harrassment. On another occasion, a former DPD officer sideswiped me on I-70 WB before Sheridan, and at the exit the fool pulled up behind me wanting to get in a fight, fortunately for him it didn't happen. He was drunk, wanting to fight, and then he left the scene of an accident. A DPD officer arrived and said, "yes, the other driver's at fault" after looking at my car. The Lakewood police tracked him to his house that night and he wasn't there. The next day, I had to contact the Denver police to find out what was going on since I wasn't getting any information. I found out he was ex-DPD, and that the DPD wasn't charging him for the accident. He claimed I passed on the shoulder on the right despite the fact the shoulder only has about 4 feet before the guardrail. The police ignored that, they ignored the fact I smelled alcohol on him, and they even excused him leaving the scene of the accident, telling me "it's okay for him to go home and call it in, he doesn't have to be at the accident". Of course, they couldn't explain why it's okay for this guy to leave but anyone else leaving the scene of an accident gets extra charges. In the end, it was nothing but DPD covering for other officers, lying their way out of it. I've always wondered how judges and the courts claim that officers are "impartial witnesses" and that's why they're believed no matter what, even though we know for a fact that not all officers are impartial or obey the law.

buffsblg........ Clinton also got off on perjury.
August 14, 2008

9:37 a.m.

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ou8one2 writes:

"John Heaney, 57, had his two front teeth broken in a fight with undercover vice detectives working a ticket-scalping operation outside Coors Field."

I saw the video tape, this was not a fight, it was beating by the DPD. As for the lying,I know a cop who once told me "it's all in how you write the reports" when filing charges against someone.
Most cops are just criminals with badges. Just ask anyone who had a run-in with James "Buster" Schneider over the years. Who, BTW was arrested on rape charges several years ago.
August 14, 2008

9:44 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

It would be nice if the recording caught the whole incident, but what it did catch is enough.

The cop is wrong and should be fired - no excuses. Yes, there are abuses and when they are found (like here) they need to be dealt with. This incident is hardly an indictment of all cops everywhere and I'm sure the majority here will have no problem dialing 911 when they need to.

Keep it in perspective and remember what a wise man once said -

"You mess with the bull - you get the horn".
August 14, 2008

9:46 a.m.

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Keith43 writes:

I have a son who was in law enforcement, and I have a healthy respect for many of them. However, ever since the creation of Homeland Security, throughout the nation, local, county and state police officers are receiving military type training and equipment from the federal government. And, many who served in the armed forces, upon leaving, are hiring on with police departments.

Police brutality is unfortunately on the rise. And what's worse, is that in the majority of incidents of abuse, they receive no consequence. All in the guise of protecting us from terrorism, we are fast becoming a police state. Throughout the country, the military, along with local police, are conducting extensive exercises, based upon the assumption, that we will very soon be under marshall law. Is it because of "terrorism", or is it because they feel there will be a massive uprising of U.S. citizens? I suggest it's the latter.
August 14, 2008

9:46 a.m.

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kevbo1979 writes:

This story is atrocious, it doesn't do justice to the news coverage I saw the other night on TV (that is very scary...). Either way, what the guy, who was shaken very badly and practically crying in the interview, said was that he accidentally hit the cop on his bike amid all the masses of people outside the stadium ON OPENING DAY. I don't know if you people have been outside coors on that intersection but it can be difficult to navigate on foot let alone a bike (maybe he should have walked the bike). But the cop immediately got in this guy's face and the mistake the guy made was of course to try to flip the cop's hat, which when he attempted that, the cops identified themselves as undercover cops and proceeded to beat him down.

We don't know the exchange that took place, but my guess is that the cop said very insulting and degrading things (this is classic bully behavior) and the hapless guy fell victim to the bully's trap.

This wouldn't be acceptable but is commonplace with the macho behavior on display downtown ALL THE TIME. I live there and have seen it time and time again. Sadly, this behavior was exhibited by a cop.

Am I the only one that is absolutely thrilled to see a person like this get caught in their lie? Not just a cop but those jerks who go around intimidating because they probably had an abusive or neglectful parent? This is true justice in this perverted society where people are more prone to put their heads down in a book or tuning out to their Ipods, because of the predatory behavior of people like this.

This cop should be fired, because he will only straighten up for a couple of months before he is back to the same ole intimidation and bully tactics, I bet he was raised that way and its going to take more couseling than he will be required to have to fix his issues...
August 14, 2008

9:48 a.m.

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BroncoDan writes:

Scalpers SHOULD have their face bashed into the ground...
August 14, 2008

9:51 a.m.

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LadyBird112 writes:

I know I go for the jugular when I'm on these boards regarding Denver's Finest, so let me first put this out there: Luckily the cops I've had need of have been very nice and helpful but this won't stop me from saying that a great deal of the cops are crazy. They're always on the defensive though, which can be good but sometimes ends bad for regular citizens. For example, my old roommate was downtown walking home one night after getting off work very late. She had to work that night even though she had a virulent case of stomach flu, and didn't make it home before having to expel some of the wonderful stuff produced by stomach flu in the gutter. Luckily, a friendly member of the DPD was happy to take her downtown for suspicion of public intoxication, although she told him many times that she was not even the slightest bit intoxicated, just sick. She even had a coworker walking her home who backed her up, but that wasn't any use.
I was once driving home from a party around 4, completely sober--I never drive after drinking even a little bit--and I was the only one on the road. I doubt I was suspicious at all, just on the road at 4 on a weekend. However, this cop pulls up next to me while I am stopped at a red light, looks at me, backs up and pulls up behind me. He then tailgated me for 5 miles until I turned onto my street.
I know this post got a bit off topic, but I think it goes to show you that many cops are crazy power-hungry pigs and think all citizens are law-breakers and just look for every chance to arrest, intimidate and otherwise terrorize them.
August 14, 2008

10:13 a.m.

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freedomfighter1 writes:

If we wait to long, we may not be able to take back our goverment. Or has that already happened?
August 14, 2008

10:15 a.m.

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mhow88 writes:

Cops are supposed to 'Uphold the law'.. Not pretend to be Above the law...!!! This is bad....
August 14, 2008

10:19 a.m.

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goodkarma55 writes:

I bet those pigs will get off and not be charged with anything. I am glad someone got it on tape. Still won't matter because they all stick together.
August 14, 2008

10:25 a.m.

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Acemon writes:

Police officers enjoy a great deal of latitude when it comes to their duties. Their word in court typically holds more weight than the defendant's. If an officer is killed, the suspect automatically faces the death penalty. Police officers are allowed to wear their uniform, and seemingly representing the city, when they work as security guards. When an officer retires, they get great benfits, as well as being allowed to carry concealed weapons.

With all this in mind, any cop who lies is violating the public's trust and therefore should be FIRED and prohibited from being an officer ever again. Could it be any more simple than that?
August 14, 2008

10:38 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

It wasn't like this in Denver 30 years ago. But with the rise in population and the gangs coming in from CA I'm not surprised this is what we've come to.

Being a cop is the hardest job in the World. You don't like the ways they do it, then join the force and clean it up from the inside.
August 14, 2008

10:43 a.m.

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gs writes:

Dear Police Officer, what were you doing? You had a good job. Was that jerk worth it? To everyone else, it could be worse. A friend tells me of working a burglar alarm call desk in the 60s here and if the alarm went off he'd contact the owners. They'd tell him to not call the police cause they didn't want anything more stolen.
August 14, 2008

10:52 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

Jmac...pleeeaasseee go back to elementary school so you may someday be able to read! You call me an apologist...I said Cordova should be arrested! Am I missing something, or are you just that ignorant!
August 14, 2008

10:55 a.m.

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freedomfighter1 writes:

Cowboy
The goverment should hire you as its spokesperson, you always back it up and take the blame off its shoulders.
August 14, 2008

11:06 a.m.

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ktbelievable writes:

Whether it be columbine, the greeley "love triangle", or this incident, colorado police officers continue to let the public down. There was a time when the police stayed in the worst parts of town b/c thats where theyre needed. Now they pull over or harass anyone who they feel they should push around b/c when the real problems arise they cower in the corner. The officers in Colorado disgust me!
August 14, 2008

11:06 a.m.

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sweetpea313 writes:

There are lots and lots of good cops who are dedicated to protecting and serving us -- but, unfortunately, we don't hear much about them. It seems we always hear about the bad ones.

One evening I heard lots of shouting and looked out my bedroom window to see a group of cops (at least 6 of them) beating a man much more than necessary on the sidewalk on Curtis Street right out in front of the DCPA. I think the guy was probably drunk and he was arguing with them, but they slammed him to the ground, handcuffed him and really let him have it in the ribs and about the head (with the nightstick)! He was lying in a pool of blood and while they were awaiting the ambulance, the cops stood around chatting and laughing. I couldn't believe what I was seeing!!!

My husband and I also had an incident with a rude and mean-spirited cop recently -- we were driving down Brighton Blvd. and I guess we were going about 40 in a 35 and we got pulled over by a lady cop who really had a chip on her shoulder! She was SO rude to us and we didn't say one word to her other than "yes m'am" ... just handed over our papers and waited for her to come and give us a ticket. Because of the rude things she said to us and the gestures she made toward us, I filed a complaint against her with the DPD and I have to say, they took my complaint seriously and I got calls from 2 different officers who looked into it and, I was told, put a permanent notation in her file and also spoke with her about the incident. So don't give up - there are good people on the force who really do care.

It is a shame that some bad apples give the whole department a bad name ... but I'm glad someone videotaped the incident and those rogue cops will get their just punishment. I hope they lose their jobs and their pensions and then have a hard time finding another job!

And to those officers who never get the recognition they deserve for all the good things they do, thank you very, very much.
August 14, 2008

11:37 a.m.

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dwormus writes:

There's only a couple types of people to whom police work appeals. One, I think the majority, are self-sacrificers who believe in the law and want to make society a safer place to live. The second are bullies who've figured it's better to be on the right side of the law beating on people, than on the other side of the baton. Unfortunately, this second group grabs more headlines with their despicable behavior. The Denver police department needs to do a better job weeding these types out of the force. It's the cities responsibility not to put dangerous people out on the streets. It would keep us all safer, and save money from the lawsuits these incidents cause.

This officer should go to jail for his assault. Cops should get no special protection when they clearly violate the same laws they're arresting others for. The officer was in no danger when he smashed that man's face in. When cops do things like this it creates more enmity in the public, which makes good cops jobs harder.
August 14, 2008

11:46 a.m.

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Cowboy63 writes:

freedomfighter1 writes: "The goverment should hire you as its spokesperson, you always back it up and take the blame off its shoulders."

You should read my earlier post. I said the cop SHOULD be fired. No excuses. No matter what they say the guy did (attempting to knock some guys hat off his head hardly warrants an arrest) they clearly had him down.

I'm not talking the blame off of DPD's shoulders by an means. I have friends and family that either are or were cops and I can appreciate the circumstances they have to work under.
August 14, 2008

11:46 a.m.

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sheepherder writes:

Jacoff...the suspect did lie! Thats no excuse for the DPD, what the cop did was flat out wrong. Where do you come up with this crap! AND...what would you do if I knocked your hat off? Do you think it may illicit a violent response? Talk about talking tough! You are so filled with hate for cops (what, did one take your girl from you) that you cannot be objective. Too many inticement of a child arrests maybe?
August 14, 2008

12:07 p.m.

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sweetpea313 writes:

hakj -- I do not own a camcorder or a camera, for that matter, and as I live in a highrise, I don't know if anyone else witnessed the alteraction, but I did call the police department and file a report. They took my information, name and number but no one ever called me back -- big surprise!

I totally agree with you, people are terrified of having anything to do with a police officer, let alone stand up to one!
August 14, 2008

12:17 p.m.

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peteSmith writes:

Does the Denver D.A. ever prosecute perjury? If it's an ordinary citizen already charged with other crime[s]? Answer: yes If there's sufficient media attention (such as this instance): maybe If it involves cops, judges, gov't officials or attorneys and there's no media attention? Answer: Never.

See the bottom section of this page: www.knowyourcourts.com/DA/DA.htm to see what I mean
August 14, 2008

2:08 p.m.

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4gColoNative writes:

Power to the People and their recorders!

It used to be only photo and video journalists helping to keep things in check ... now the masses are the eyes on the thugs.
August 14, 2008

3:03 p.m.

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Keith43 writes:

If you really want to understand police abuse of power, go to infowars.com or prisionplanet.com. Most every day, some incident of police brutality is reported. You won't find the "truth" anywhere in mainstream media (Fox included). Case in point: A sixteen year old boy, fell (which is doubtful) off of a freeway overpass a couple of weeks ago in Minnesota. He boke his back and his right heal. The cops tasered him 19 times while lying on the ground. In the investigation, the cops considered him a threat because he was cussing at them. What would you do if because you couldn't get up at their "command", you were constantly being tased?
August 14, 2008

3:13 p.m.

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eyes_of_the_world writes:

Every single conviction that these cops were involved in should be overturned. Period.
They're liars and bullies.They work for us, the taxpayers, and we say they are fired. Good bye.
There are places in the world that need these kind of cops. Its not Denver Colorado. They can enforce Sharia law.These guys seem like they would be good at stoning someone to death. Lets give them a one way ticket to Pakistan.
August 14, 2008

4:05 p.m.

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Keith43 writes:

In order to better emphasize what's going on in "free" America, here's another incident that never appeared in mainstream media:

You may recall the flooding that occured in Cedar Rapids, Iowa about a month ago. The police falsly told the people that they were under marshall law, and by gunpoint, were forced out of their homes - even people who were on high ground, who were not at all affected by the flooding. The police also broke into homes of people who weren't even home. And, get this folks, the police confiscated their weapons and stole other valuables. After taking the police to court, some of the privately owned weapons were ordered returned. But guess what, the guns were damaged beyond use when returned. Unbelievable you say? Not anymore! This is the new America - cops trained by our military, via the likes of Homeland Security! Fear not though, they're just protecting us from the "terrorists". I wonder who the real terrorists are? Is it possible that it's the guys who are supposed to "preserve and protect" us?
August 14, 2008

4:21 p.m.

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freedomfighter1 writes:

Keith
not that I doubt you, but where can we find the story?
August 14, 2008

4:32 p.m.

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The_Punnisher writes:

Jeffco cops have a standing policy. Threaten ARREST when they want to break and enter a house...then the report is written to say " subject was uncooperative ".....

You can stand at the door and bar entrance..but that is the automatic response when you do.

Jeffco KEEPS those reports. FOREVER.

That policy has been in place for over ten years now.

That is why I DESPISE the Greenies. and NEVER call them.

And I used to work with Ron Beckham....
August 14, 2008

6:01 p.m.

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Keith43 writes:

freedomfighter1,

At infowars.com. You'll have to navigate around because the story broke early last week. However, you'll also notice that there are several such articles of police abuse. Also, checkout prisonplanet.com. Once you become familiar with these sites, you'll come to realize the real truth; and it's not at all what mainstream media wants you to know. Best of luck!
August 14, 2008

6:26 p.m.

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Chadley25 writes:

buffsblg writes:

I always believe that those accused are innocent until proven guilty and I afford that even to cops who appear to be caught red handed lying through their teeth. While the video is strong evidence I will strive to keep an open mind.
________________

Once again, a swing and a miss.

A person is NOT, in fact, "innocent until proven guilty," they are legally PRESUMED innocent until proven guilty. That one word, presumed, makes a huge difference in there. The person's guilt or innocence is fixed and etched in stone. They're either guilty or they're not. The law of the land simply affords them the PRESUMPTION of innocence in a court of law until proven guilty. But as we all know, a person can be found innocent, but still be guilty in all truth... or vice versa.

And hello, a videotape that utterly contradicts an under-oath sworn testimony is absolutely proof of guilt. While I would normally applaud an "open mind," in this case, it's appallingly misused. The cop is clearly guilty of perjury, and it's only a matter of time until he is legally found so.
August 14, 2008

8:54 p.m.

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stretch writes:

What's new? You should have been around in the sixties and seventies, Denver cops would beat someone everyday, usually a young Hispanic. I guess the little guys are moving up to old white boys.
August 14, 2008

11:30 p.m.

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ShadyGrady writes:

What a meathead.

Good police work Cordova. Scalper boy is gonna sue your pants off and the whole world will see your teenie weenie. Idiot.

Now get in your flair-side pickup and drive to your new job as Villa Italia mall security.

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Home › News › Local News

Video contradicts officer's tale about head-slamming incident

By Judi Villa, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 13, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.

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