STATter 911: No charges to be filed in Oklahoma confrontation between trooper and EMS. DA wants incident to be used to open a dialogue. Urges OHP to release video.

Friday, June 5, 2009

No charges to be filed in Oklahoma confrontation between trooper and EMS. DA wants incident to be used to open a dialogue. Urges OHP to release video.

Click here and then scroll down for the latest fire and EMS news from STATter911.com

June 16 update: Paramedic White says Trooper Martin should have badge and gun taken away

Read press release from District Attorney Max Cook

Watch story and interview with Max Cook

Watch story from KWTV-TV

More STATter911.com coverage: Trooper's lawyer says medic is danger to the community; Dash cam video released; Fox News interviews EMS crew & Trooper Martin; Trooper on administrative leave; No charges filed by DA; EMT-B Paul Franks speaks out; Read statements from Toopers Martin & Iker; Troopers identified; Statements from witnesses and the patient; Reaction from police officers; Statements from EMS crew.

Oklahoma District Attorney Max Cook (Okfuskee & Creek Counties) has decided not press criminal charges in connection with the May 24 confrontation between the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and an ambulance crew from Creek Nation. The incident involved Troopers Daniel Marin and Bryan Iker, along with Critical Care Paramedic Maurice White Jr. and EMT-B Paul Franks.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, the District Attorney's Office reports that Cook reviewed reports, statements from witnesses and videos and "has declined to file charges against White based on information presented."

Earlier in the week Max Cook told STATter911.com that the focus of the investigation from the start was on the actions of Paramedic White, but that he had not completely ruled out other possibilities. Today's press release provides these quotes from Cook:

"After careful consideration off all facts and circumstance, it does not appear it would be appropriate to file any charges against White, Martin or any other person involved. Although, I do not condone their actions, I do not believe that filing charges at this time would serve the best interests of the public or the interests of justice. It has been my experience that emergency service providers generally work well together and it was disappointing to see a situation where that clearly did not happen."

"It is my hope that emergency responders, especially the Oklahoma Highway patrol, will use this incident to open dialogue about ways to forge good relationship with their partner agencies. The public is best served when emergency responders make concerted efforts to be respectful of the jobs that each of them are charged with and forge strong partnerships."

According to the statement, now that he has closed the review of the incident, District Attorney Cook will request OHP to release the dash-cam video "in response to the public's interest."

Richard O'Carroll, White's attorney, told KTUL-TV that Maurice White is aware of the decision and is disappointed.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 8:08 PM

Comments:

I'm not surprised. Martin should be subject to charges, period. The only thing left to hope is that he gets fired from being a trooper and loses a civil judgement.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2009 8:47 PM

Dear Trooper Martin, you have just received the one and only "get out of jail free" card of your career. I hope you remember this situation every time you do a traffic stop and/or get upset with someone, for the rest of your life.

# posted by

Jay911 : June 5, 2009 9:53 PM

UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2009 10:23 PM

Martin may have escaped the Criminal charges but I certainly hope the family peruses a Civil judgment. Seems the "good old boy" network is at play when a DA does not do his job.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2009 10:52 PM

I hope the family files charges for delaying transport. Completely uncalled for... Follow them to the hospital, get the patient into a room and then confront the medics on that ambulance. Sounds like someone got a little power hungry when he got a badge! :(

# posted by

Anonymous : June 5, 2009 11:54 PM

For the record, I think the trooper's behavior was completely unacceptable.

But did anyone expect anything different? Both troopers, the EMT-B and the medic all had an opportunity to handle this situation in a more calm and reasonable matter, and they all failed pretty miserably. Even if you could get a grand jury make an indictment, there's no way they would convict, so a trial just wastes time. Chalk it up to the massive egos that pervade public safety, let the pt's family have their out of court settlement, and call it a day. With some luck maybe these four providers have all learned a lesson, and will react more calmly next time.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 12:44 AM

You guys need to read the article more closely--The PARAMEDIC was being charged--NOT the officer, even though the officer was the aggressor!!!

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 4:03 AM

just a good old boy!

What a load of crap.

Sad Day for EMS. They do not care about EMS workers!

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 9:48 AM

You guys need to read the article more closely--The PARAMEDIC was being charged--NOT the officer, even though the officer was the aggressor!!!

June 6, 2009 4:03 AM

I have read the article two times and I dont see where it says the paramedic was being charged.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 2:43 PM

"Justice is Blind"

You're gosh darn right is is!
The cop should be charged, ths D A should be fired. Somebody call the Attorney Generals office down there and get an investigation going, the sooner the better. (Get it? Sooner, Oklahoma=Oklahoma Sooner) Oh man, I made myself laugh. But theres nothin funny about a gestapo cop beatin down a brother. There I let the cat outta the bag that nobody wants to say. A white gestapo cop chokin an African American EMT!!! That should be a racially motivated crime, it is a civil rights violation!!!!!! There I said it and I'm glad I said it. I am still awaiting justice.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 3:40 PM

Good thing that Mr.White isn't being charged but i'm confused why Mr. White was disappointed because he nothing wrong.The cop should brought up on assault and battery charges then be place in county jail for choking the EMT.

# posted by

John Erick Austin : June 6, 2009 5:07 PM

Though I feel the cop was out of line, should be charged with assaulting an EMS worker and interferring in the duties of an EMS worker, as well as feel the family should sue, I do think the paramedic initially over reacted. I have stated on other blogs he should have stayed put, but I renig on that. Maybe he should have voiced his opinion about being pulled over with a patient in the back, but acting defiantly as he did only made things worse. His incident report, though, is very well written.
I have my fingers crossed that there will be some repercussions against the department though, and I am hoping this case will open up some dialog between PD and EMS so both know how to react in these situations.

# posted by

Shaggy : June 6, 2009 5:39 PM

Okay, so no charges against the paramedic.....how about charges against the trooper. Interfering with an emergency medical worker. At the very least, felony stupidity.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 7:21 PM

I thought at first maybe the DA was not pressing charges in exchange for the trooper being fired. After he urged the release the dash cam videos, no such luck. The DA was in his own way trying to ask the state police to clean up their act. He wouldn't have tried to cover his back if there was some sort of deal. ("see I tried to make them do the right thing, blah blah.") The only way the state police will be effected is through a successful lawsuit but any judgement will come out of some general fund I would imagine, that state police budget. No sweat off their backs.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 6, 2009 11:07 PM

Why don't they do substance tests on these roadrage cops after the fact? Is it because it might be that roidsrage is the problem?

# posted by

Anonymous : June 7, 2009 10:20 AM

Glad charges against paramedic White dismissed. Trooper out of line and needs to lose his "god" complex. Give him some time cleaning the side of the freeways to get his ego back in line.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 7, 2009 12:57 PM

this is unreal...they should be fired, prosecuted, and fined....

# posted by

Anonymous : June 8, 2009 7:50 AM

PLEASE I am so tried of hearing about this story. Lets all put are egos aside and get back to our jobs...

# posted by

Anonymous : June 8, 2009 11:13 AM

I think that trooper should be suspended and do community service for 1 year. All that community service spent at hospitals disenfecting and cleaning up the back of every ambulance that comes in. And then he can also wash and wax all the county's EMS units. I bet as a cop he's never washed his own police car--they all go to car washes.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 8, 2009 12:42 PM

If the trooper wanted to be an ambulance driver he would of joined up. All you ambulance drivers are all the same cry babies. Most of the ones in my department could not make it on the fire suppression side, thats why you are all ambulance drivers. STOP CRYING

# posted by

Anonymous : June 8, 2009 4:11 PM

I'm not a cop, trooper, EMS or Firefighter and I think this guy should get served up a helping of what he dishes out. Too many cops, and HP's have a big ego when they pull you over. They treat alot of people pretty bad on the side of the road. As a civil servant, he should have never stopped an ambulance in route! He could have very well just lost his department(our tax dollars), a great deal of money paid as a settlement to the women inside that ambulance......

# posted by

Zach : June 8, 2009 9:21 PM

OK to Post/Repost on other sites

I support Georgia Paramedic Hayden Barnes's BOYCOTT of QuikTrips, ConocoPhillips, and Alamo and National Car Rental companies for us out of towners while we are

NOT driving through Oklahoma watching out for OHP without their sirens on running ambulances off the road on the way to stolen car reports and returning to illegally assault EMT.

(Bonus: don't let your friends or neighbors attend Valdosta University in Georgia if they care about free speech and due process:)

# posted by

Michele Tatersal : June 8, 2009 10:23 PM

I agree with an earlier post, Lets move on to something else, I am also so tired of hearing about this story. Yes, there is alot of comments being posted. Its because we all like to complain all the time. You all sound like a bunch of kids. I am a FF and have a brother that is a PO, He and I both think the Trooper was out of line, but not all cops are that way. We in the FD and EMS have also done stupid things, just read this blog, just about every week you could find sometime stupid. I am sure the OHP will deal with it. But some of you EMS guys sounds like kids, by saying all those mean cops, they always treat us bad. LETS GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 8, 2009 10:25 PM

Nope Anonymous. Back to your TV.

PUNISH Oklahoma OHP and Governor until they APOLOGIZE to the EMT and his patients family.

BOYCOTT Oklahoma QuikTrips, ConocoPhillips, and Alamo and National Car Rental companies.

Ok/PLEASE Post/Repost on other sites.

# posted by

Justice : June 9, 2009 1:23 AM

Of course the OHP declined to release the dash cam footage.....did anyone really think they would?? puh-leeze

# posted by

Anonymous : June 9, 2009 5:04 PM

And this is just the one that got caught on camera. I hope this cop and DA both lose their jobs though I know they wont.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 10, 2009 2:55 AM

This is one of the big reason I don't live in Oklahoma anymore. The cops think the rule everything and the others DA for example let them get away with whatever they like. It has always been that way there and it will never change. They need to fire that cop and put him in jail charge him and make an example out of him but yea right that will never happen not in Oklahoma.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 11, 2009 9:20 AM

Oklahoma is Not OK.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 11, 2009 6:45 PM

To the egotistical rookie who calls "ambulance drivers" cry babies. Let me enlighten you. We are medics, not "ambulance drivers" My basic impression of you is that you are just a wanna be, and most likely a life long rookie gofer. Grow up, because with all of the retoric going on over this event, it remais that people like YOU are still the cause of barriers between agencies.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 12, 2009 10:29 AM

I am a police officer and I am completely appalled by that Troopers actions! He should be terminated and have charges filed on him for assault! I hope that family files civil action against that him and his department.

I have a few questions being that I am a LEO for that officer and his department! Why is that Trooper running code to a situation that obviously didn't warrant it? Why is he endangering lives of others by running code to a call that already had an officer on scene? And why in the hell is he flying up on vehicles that have no place to go and getting hot headed because they didn't move out of his way fast enough. Obviously since he didn't stay at that call for more than 1 minute he wasn't needed!!!!!

He is a complete mockery of what I and other officers do every day.. I hope he is never on a call with me. I would surely ask him and his big headed ego to beat feet! He is an accident waiting to happen.

His foul mouth and temper should be put on a leash!

I am most grateful his DA is not ours. What a shame..

# posted by

Anonymous : June 13, 2009 8:50 PM

I know I wouldn't want to be Trooper Martin and require Paramedic care

# posted by

Anonymous : June 15, 2009 2:34 AM

Well inaction like this is why DA's who don't do their jobs get replaced. Hope you had fun as DA, because as soon as the voters get a hold of this obvious miscarriage of justice, you can kiss your job goodbye.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 15, 2009 5:35 PM

How the trooper didn't get fired and sent to jail is beyond me. Sounds like someone needs to investigate the DA.

Hey, it's cool for cops to pick fights and choke people though, right?

# posted by

Anonymous : June 16, 2009 10:48 AM

I can't believe it! Let's see, "Officer Down! EMS needed Code 3 - Priority HIGH" Standby we're out to lunch - don't forget who's going to be saving your sorry excuse of an officer as you lie on the side of dirty highway! Respectfully, one that works as a CHP officer and EMS paramedic.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 17, 2009 4:17 AM

I'm a police officer and Trooper Martin's are a shame to our profession. My police chief has said that if any one you act like that, then hand in your badge and gun because he won't tolerate that kind of behavoir in his department.

Clearly this was a police riot situration.

# posted by

Anonymous : June 18, 2009 3:30 AM

So what you all are saying is that we should allow people to assault police officers?(because thats what white did.) depending on what type of job they do? So if a member of congress was pulled over and punched an officer for choking him he should be let go because he serves the public? and shame on you emts and medics for talking about leaving wounded officers on the side of the road. You all make me sick.

# posted by

jonathan bouren( not annonymous you cowards) : July 7, 2009 11:14 PM