May 3, 2009
The ‘Rodney King’ of Sandy, Utah
Neighbors were appalled when a Sandy man was beaten by policemen after trying to help an injured motorcyclist this afternoon. Was it ‘profiling’ because the man has long hair?
Andrew Mismash was the only person trying to help a bleeding motorcyclist who he witnessed being hit by a truck in front of his house when police grabbed him, threw him to the ground and beat him. After walking towards the scene of the accident, the injured motorcyclist was verbally abused by Sandy City Police Officer Tufts, who told him to “back off, sh** happens”. Mismash took exception to the injured man being spoken to in that manner and made a comment back to the Sandy City police officer saying, ”That’s bulls***! This man’s bleeding…!” Mismash was also told to “back off” and as he was walking away, Officers Tufts and Stromberg jumped and pinned him against a vehicle on his own property.
Without telling him what he was being held for, the Sandy man was pinned for approximately three minutes when a third Sandy City police officer came up behind him and began hitting him in the back. The police officers were repeatedly screaming profanities at Mismash while they kneed him in the ribs and legs, and pinched him. The Sandy man broke free and tried to get away when the three police officers pinned him to the ground in front of his children, neighbors, and other family members. A fourth police officer also joined and threatened to taser Mismash. They handcuffed him, charging him with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest–all for being a good Samaritan and trying to help the injured motorcyclist.
Mismash has shoulder length hair, which is somewhat unusual in causasian, middle-class Sandy. Is he a victim of ‘profiling’ by the Sandy Police Officers?
Officer Tufts police car dashcam was not turned on to record the incident, but Mismash’s brother recorded the scene after being told he was in danger of being arrested himself. Several witnesses in the neighborhood were appalled by the conduct of the Sandy City Police force and completed witness reports in defense of their friend and neighbor.
Mismash’s response? “That’s what I get for trying to help someone.”
