Deputy Paul Schene, 31, has pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault charges against 15-year-old Malika Calhoun last November, according to the Associated Press. In what appears to be a flagrant act of police brutality, Schene is seen on surveillance video pushing Calhoun against the holding cell wall, pulling her to the ground by her hair and striking her twice while he and another officer subdued her.
Calhoun was brought in under suspicion of auto theft. She was interviewed, her jewelry was removed and she was put into a holding cell when officers asked her to remove her shoes. She can be seen kicking off her left shoe out of the cell door in Schene’s direction, which prompted the alleged assault. Prosecutors released the surveillance video last Friday.
Court documents indicate that Calhoun complained of breathing problems after the incident and was taken to a medic. She has pleaded not guilty to the auto theft charges, saying that the care belonged to her friend’s mother and she believed they did have permission at the time it was taken. -WLW
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