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.
Read press release from District Attorney Max Cook
1 comment:
I am sorry to say that I first sent this comment to the wrong person, and should have realized at first clance that only MAX COOK would have thought it was at the best interest of the public to say gosh guys let's just kiss and make up. God knows we would not want to say an OHP officer was a threat to the public safety, even though he was acting like a spoilt kid or a mad dog.
I am so confused are you stupid, a coward, or a corrupt politician. You in all your self imposed glory have succeeded in driving yet one more wedge between the Law enforcement authorities and the general public. You have yet again given the right of immunity to a bunch of gang members posing as our sworn protectors. When is this kind of stupidity going to end. You had a chance to prove to the people you are suppose to represent that you would enforce the law no matter who broke it, and choose to ignore the written law and give over to the powers that would be. You are such a man, not really just kidding, a man don't cower down to thugs and it is obvious that you either did or decided to join ranks with the dishonest police officers. You decide just what your and then attempt to justify your actions.
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