LawDog Atty Fee Fundraiser

[Stephanie B]

There's a long-time cop and blogger known as LawDog.

Apparently, before retiring, he got involved in a use-of-force case involving an out-of-control detainee.

The DA's been offering him plea deals, but he doesn't intend to roll over on it. He's got a legal defense going, which others are supporting with giveaways for donating.

I don't know the man, personally, but I've read his stuff for well over a decade and he seems like the real deal. Some of his writing has been memorable, to say the least.

I've donated. Maybe others might like to do so.

[1slow]

Thanks, just donated.

[SAWBONES]

Thanks for posting that, Stephanie B.

I well remember LawDog's stories and teachings on forums over the past many years, so I've happily "anteed up", and wish him the best.

[ACP230]

I sent a bit.
Glad to see notice of the campaign here.

[SeriousStudent]

Quite a solid fellow! Creator of the famous cake analogy: https://thelawdogfiles.com/2013/01/a-repost.html

Donation sent.

[DrkBlue]

Slow clap of approval.
Well played.

[TGS]

PSA that if you're working in LE current day and are not carrying PLI, you absolutely should be.

Even if you don't care about your own financial ruin, do it for the sake of your family.

[Yung]

Never followed them but the name is familiar to me.
Reposting news articles from one of the blog entries found in the OP links:

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/crime/crime-crime/former-deputy-reindicted-for-allegedly-fish-hooking-inmate/

Updated: Jul 23, 2022 / 04:31 PM CDT
WICHITA COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — A former Wichita County corrections officer accused of mistreating an inmate has been reindicted on a new charge.

Ian McMurtrie is now facing trial for official oppression in a new indictment filed on Thursday, July 21, 2022.

He was first indicted in 2020 for violation of the civil rights of a person in custody. Both charges are Class A misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

The alleged violation occurred in March, 2020. After an investigation authorities alleged while working in the jail division, McMurtrie denied an inmate’s right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment by forcing his fingers into the inmate’s nostrils.

The new indictment adds new allegations of abuse: that McMurtrie struck the inmate in the back with his elbows and inserted his fingers into the inmate’s nostrils and “fish hooking” him, assaulted him or struck him with excessive force, pressed the inmate’s face into the concrete floor and twisted his arm.

That inmate was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest and trying to take a weapon from an officer at the hospital on the same date as McMurtrie’s alleged abuse. Affidavits state the inmate grabbed an officer’s taser and pointed it at an officer and also at hospital security.

A separate officer then fired his taser at the suspect, but the suspect continued struggling and was eventually subdued by several officers.

Four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant were also filed but later dismissed.

As the inmate was being booked into jail, Wichita County Sheriff David Duke said the inmate was creating a disturbance, and McMurtrie responded.

Duke said the incident was recorded, and because the abuse was so clear, McMurtrie was quickly placed on suspension and then retired within days.

For some of his 20 years with the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office, Duke said McMurtrie was in the Compliance Division, which ensures the jail stays in compliance with state standards of conditions and treatment.

“Such clear cases of improper actions cannot be tolerated,” Duke said.

https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/2020/11/09/wichita-county-sheriffs-lieutenant-indicted/6226833002/

Updated: 7:27 p.m. CT Nov 10, 2020

A Wichita County sheriff's lieutenant, who has since retired, is accused of forcing his fingers up the nostrils of a Wichita County Jail inmate, inflicting cruel and unusual punishment, according to court documents.

Ian Hugh McMurtrie, 53, of Iowa Park was free on a $1,500 bond after being booked in and out of Wichita County Jail on Monday, according to online jail records.

McMurtrie is charged with violation of the civil rights of a person in custody in connection with a March 13 incident while serving in the Wichita County Sheriff's Office Jail Division, according to court records.

A Wichita County grand jury returned a sealed indictment against McMurtrie Wednesday, according to court records.

If convicted of the class A misdemeanor, he faces up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000.

Wichita County Sheriff David Duke said the incident allegedly occurred in a single holding cell in the booking area.

Within a day or two of obtaining information about it, WCSO personnel viewed video evidence showing the incident, Duke said.

He said WCSO law-enforcement officers restrain people when necessary but are not allowed to violate civil rights or assault anyone.

Sheriff's Lt. Andrew Speegle, assistant jail administrator, investigated the allegations against McMurtrie because of their nature and where they occurred, Duke said.

The case was then sent to the Wichita County District Attorney's Office to go before a grand jury, Duke said.

The sheriff said McMurtrie was suspended with pay, pending the investigation.

While suspended, McMurtrie opted to retire, effective April 16, 2020, Duke said.

McMurtrie wanted to go to court to contest having a dishonorable discharge from the WCSO listed in his records with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Duke said.

After consultation with the DA's Office, the WCSO decided to designate it a general discharge, but McMurtrie's record at TCOLE will reflect the indictment, Duke said.

And the designation can be changed to a dishonorable discharge if McMurtrie is convicted, Duke said.

The alleged victim in the civil rights violation is Heath Carl Hanson, who faces charges related to accusations that he took a Wichita Falls police officer's taser, according to court documents.

Hanson, 38, is suspected of ripping an officer's stun gun from his holster after the cop responded to United Regional Health Care System for a disturbance, according to court documents.

Hanson had been sent to URHCS for medical clearance ahead of possibly undergoing detoxification elsewhere, and he was having hallucinations and refusing treatment, according to court documents.

Hanson was free Monday from Wichita County Jail on $17,001 in personal recognizance bonds, according to online jail records.

Hanson was charged with taking a weapon from an officer, a felony, and with misdemeanor resisting arrest or transport in connection with incidents March 13, according to court records.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for the weapon charge and up to a year in jail for the resisting charge.

Four charges against Hanson of aggravated assault against a public servant in connection with March 13 incidents have been dismissed, according to court records.

That charge is punishable by up to life in prison.

[willie]

The officer controlled a wildly out of control inmate without hitting him with a club. Maybe a reprimand for using a non standard technique was in order. Prosecution is not warranted. Those who have never supervised these type adult non compliant idiots might disagree. Pliers work well too.

[c_rion]

The officer controlled a wildly out of control inmate without hitting him with a club. Maybe a reprimand for using a non standard technique was in order. Prosecution is not warranted. Those who have never supervised these type adult non compliant idiots might disagree. Pliers work well too.

Unfortunately for you, "Those who have never supervised these type adult non compliant idiots might disagree" are the same "those" who will "disagree" while setting on the Grand Jury that indicts you, and the Court Jury that convicts you. After watching a video of you, over and over in every speed possible, using pliers on an inmate. LOL, good luck with that! Make sure you are white and he is Black for maximum effect and wow factor for the jury. This isn't 1975. Cameras are cheap, prolific, and everywhere you don't want them to be. You only have to forget that once while doing something stupid to end up like this guy.

As far as Lt. McMurtrie is concerned, Lt. Speegle, Sheriff Duke, and the DA all felt the incident was so far out of bounds that they sent it to the Grand Jury instead of handling it internally. That sounds less like a "railroad job" and more like a "Uh, this use of force was unlawful, looks really bad, its on film, and if it gets out that we knew about it and tried to cover it up,we will be up the creek with this guy. Better let the process deal with this one." The grand jury agreed. Lt. McMurtrie then tried to retire in lieu of suspension to try and avoid a "dishonorable discharge" with the LE licensing body in TX. I'm sure that will help him out with the jury. Unfortunately for Lt. McMurtrie he can now take a plea, or he can stand before a Judge and Jury and take his chances. If only their were rules and policies in place that outlined what force and techniques are accepted, defensible, and approved for use on non compliant jail inmates, and which techniques and what uses of force will get you charged and indicted. If only Lt. McMurtrie stayed within the bounds of that guidance, this indictment would have never happened. If only.