As Youngstown police officials continue to investigate an allegation that a disabled man was assaulted by a city cop, the alleged victim has hired an attorney to represent him.
Willie Daniel retained attorney David Betras Wednesday afternoon.
"It looks like there may have been a rash to judgment, and we will investigate and go from there," said Betras.
Daniel, who is paralyzed from the waist down, said on Feb. 27 he was a passenger in a SUV that went off Wilson Avenue and hit a pole. Soon after, three police officers arrived and Daniel said one of the officers, Robert Jolliff, beat him, dragged him out of the vehicle and placed him on the road.
Daniel was charged with OVI and driving under suspension, but his brother, Kenneth, said he was driving the vehicle and after the crash he left to get help.
"I got out and told Willie to wait because I didn't have his wheelchair," Kenneth Daniel said. "I went to find a phone and call his wife and an ambulance."
Willie Daniel's wife, Pam, arrived at the scene shortly after and questioned why her husband was laying on the ground. She said she was issued a citation for misconduct at an emergency scene. Betras said that ticket was never filed in court.
Meanwhile, city officials have released the 911 tape from the crash. In it, a tow truck driver can be heard saying they thought Daniel may have a gun. No gun was found.
Officials with the city law department are refusing to release the internal report, saying it is part of an ongoing confidential investigation.
Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said he hopes the internal report will be completed soon.
