MI: Open Carry Lawsuit; What is the Truth, Police Report or Dashcam Video?

By Dean Weingarten

Dean Weingarten
Dean Weingarten

Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)- Johann Deffert is suing the Grand Rapids Police for their treatment when he was stopped while openly carrying a handgun.  Now, two versions of events are being put forward.   In the official police version, as reported in mlive.com:

“Deffert was alone, and was loudly talking to himself,” Moe wrote. “Based on the area, and Deffert’s unusual behavior, R/O (responding officer) was concerned Deffert may have mental issues and was about to commit a violent crime.

The responding officer then elaborates:

He secured Deffert in handcuffs. He then secured a .40- or .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol with attached flashlight.

“Deffert immediately began stating that he was exercising his right open carry,” Moe wrote. “R/O explained to Deffert, he had that right (to) open carry as long as he was not a felon or had any documented mental orders.

“R/O further explained to Deffert, R/O would release him as soon as R/O checked him in LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network). Deffert stated he had neither. Based on Deffert’s answers and odd demeanor, R/O was not so sure Deffert did not have some psychological issues. Deffert would not elaborate on why he was talking to himself. He had no cell phone on him,” Moe wrote, in a four-paragraph narrative.

The problem is that people who claim to have seen the dashcam video from the officers patrol car say that the video does not support the R/O’s report.  From the comments on mlive.com  Tom Lambert , who claims to have seen the dashcam video, writes:

 Tim and I are on the leadership of a group called Michigan Open Carry and are local to the GR area. The plaintiff contacted us after his incident seeking help. We reviewed his case (the video) and sent him to a qualified attorney.

I have tried to be open and honest about who I am, and the facts of this case. If you still do not believe me, I understand, but I feel there is nothing more I can do.

In a later post Tim Beahan writes:

Having reviewed the video, the comments offered by the responding officer are a complete fabrication. I’m looking forward to his impending career change.
Tom Lambert writes:

 “But, his attorney, Steven Dulan said Deffert “repeatedly offered his identification to (police), who refused to retrieve it for several minutes, instead choosing to debate public policy with plaintiff.””

This is backed up in the video. If the R/O just wanted to “check out” the plaintiff, why did he debate policy with the plaintiff instead of checking him out?

In a separate post:

 “Deffert would not elaborate on why he was talking to himself. He had no cell phone on him”

Both are not true as demonstrated on the video. Perhaps if the R/O had listened to the answers to his questions, this might not have turned out this way.

The dashcam video has not been released to the public.   Deffert’s lawyer is said to have the copy that Lambert and Beahan say they saw.

c2013 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.

Link to Gun Watch

About Dean Weingarten;
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973.  He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.

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Buck Crosby

Just another cop ” acting stupidly ” ? or another gestapo wannabee ? Who vetts these misfits that get in law enforcement .

spiker

Right or wrong no one likes to see confrontations between police and an armed subject. This will be another example that legislators will use to get rid of open carry in MI.