Police Officers Face Reckless Manslaughter Charge
Florida Narcotics Chief Indicted
Officer Wyatt Henderson
| Correction: Officers Bennett and Durant identified in this article were originally reported as having been granted immunity for their testimony. In fact, officers Bennett and Durant were not granted immunity. |
Despite passing an FBI polygraph test, the lack of witnesses, and evidence to the contrary, a Florida policeman has been charged in a federal indictment with unreasonable use of force in an arrest. Officer Wyatt O. Henderson, a 24-year veteran of law enforcement with an exemplary record, and the Chief of the Narcotics Unit in the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Depart-ment, faces a long legal battle resulting from the incident.
On May 21, 2002, two undercover officers had arranged to purchase drugs from Christopher Grant. When Grant realized who they were, he fled, tossing a bag of 20 ounces of marijuana out the window. Officer Henderson pursued him and managed to force Grant’s van to the side of the street. With the police cruiser just three feet from the suspect’s van, Officer Henderson ordered Grant to get out of his car. Grant refused at first but finally exited and got down on his hands and knees between the two vehicles.
When Grant refused to lie down on the pavement as directed, Officer Henderson, all 6’3” and 250 pounds of him, placed his knee on the suspect’s back. Grant’s chin hit the ground. While being examined at the hospital after the incident, he told the medics that he fell while being pursued by the police.
The two-centimeter laceration on his chin was described as “superficial” by the treating physician. His only injury was a hairline fracture of his chin that required no treatment.
Charges against Grant included drug possession with intent to distribute, carrying a concealed weapon (brass knuckles), resisting arrest, and flight to avoid arrest.
The Internal Affairs division conducted an investigation and concluded that all policies had been appropriately followed and that the arrest was proper and lawful.
Several months later during a wide-ranging probe of the narcotics unit, Officer Henderson testified against several personnel, causing two of those who were dismissed to bring false charges against him. The two were Detectives Bennett and Durant, undercover officers. It was Officer Durant who handcuffed Grant that night.
About this same time, Christopher Grant filed a civil rights action against the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Police and Wyatt Henderson. Grant now claims that Officer Henderson hit him with a pistol.
Dr. Werner U. Spitz, a medical expert, testified in the civil case that Grant’s claims of being hit with a pistol are unsupported by the facts. The medical records give no indication that Grant suffered a blunt force strike. The only injury that he had was to his chin when it was forced to the ground by Officer Henderson. There was a surface abrasion but not an open wound. If Grant had been struck with a handgun, there would have been a laceration or other indication that he had a blow to his face.
Ken Katsaris, a certified law enforcement “use of force” instructor in Florida, also testified that the use of force by Officer Henderson was reasonable and that Grant’s injuries were consistent with the proper use of force and not with the excessive use of a weapon.
Officer Henderson passed an FBI polygraph test. LELDF is supporting this officer’s case. We will keep you posted as the case progresses.
