Alleged victims happy to see indictments

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BY JOE CARLSON
jcarlson@nwitimes.com
219.662.5339 | Friday, March 07, 2008 | (14 comment(s))

GARY | When men burst into Darren Johnson's home in June and began shouting questions, Johnson thought the men might be criminals or just angry neighbors.

He never thought it would be the police. (View the video.)

"It was like anybody off the streets, not no cops. They just ran into the house," Johnson said. He said he was hit in the arm with a piece of wood during the questioning and then jailed for three days before being released without charge.

Johnson was one of four people at the home on June 1 whose alleged mistreatment at the hands of police led to felony charges Wednesday against Gary Police Chief Thomas Houston, Deputy Chief Thomas Branson and Sgt. Thomas Decanter.

Two of the alleged victims named in the charges filed against the officers said Thursday they were glad the charges were brought and hope the officers will be treated like any suspected criminals.

"What they done to us, they should get what they deserve," said Sheila Baker, whose home on 21st Avenue is where Houston and Branson are accused of bursting in.

Baker and Johnson said the police seemed convinced someone at Baker's house would know who had broken into Houston's home and burglarized it.

Johnson's longtime girlfriend, Maria Manley, described lurid threats and violence committed by Houston and Branson after the residents of the home insisted they were not involved in the burglary at Houston's home.

"They're supposed to be protecting people. Instead they're using their street mentality on people," Manley said. "They should go to jail like anyone else."

One of the four people arrested has retained a lawyer, who is investigating whether to file a civil lawsuit against the department.

Gary police spokesman, Cmdr. Sam Roberts, said officers around the department were saddened Thursday to learn of the indictments, but they will continue performing their jobs of protecting the public.

"We're disappointed, but we have a job to do," Roberts said. "We certainly don't condone any abuse of power."

Mayor Rudy Clay stood behind his earlier comments that Houston and Branson are two of the best cops in the country, and he will not take any action against them until he has a chance to study the indictment in detail.

"We are still in assessment mode," Clay said.

Sgt. Jarrett Bridgeman, an internal affairs investigator, said his department was not made aware of the June 1 incident until the federal indictments were handed down this week.

"No one ever complained," Bridgeman said. "We didn't even know who was involved in the incident until the rumors started floating."

Times staff writers William Dolan and Christine Kraly contributed to this report.

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lost in windy wrote on Mar 11, 2008 1:57 PM:

" This is what happens when you elect George Jefferson mayor "

Luz Maria wrote on Mar 7, 2008 3:56 PM:

" I've been following this story and IF, there is any truth, these officers should be fully prosecuted.

However, it is my personal opinion that these police officers are being framed. I remember when Chief Houston was first appointed by Mayor Clay (who I personally despise)members of the GPD were NOT happy with either the Chief or Assistant Chief's appointment. I recall that they were extremely unhappy with the appointments.

I seriously doubt that either of the three officers who were indicted would do something so obviously stupid which would jeopardize their long and exemplary careers. I won't be surprised when it is found out that the alleged 'victims' are lying. "

resident wrote on Mar 7, 2008 2:31 PM:

" to the "lost your mind" comment. How would you feel if it were you innocently being attacked? Would you still feel the same? I don't think so.
The Gary detectives were defintely wrong in what they did. No questions asked. Alot of officers think because they have a badge, they are "powerful". They definitely need to be punished. "

Apocalypse Now wrote on Mar 7, 2008 2:05 PM:

" 100% conviction rate is overrated. That's a stat that no one keeps. Try calling the Prosecutor's Office and ask for an Officer's Conviction rate, they don't keep one. All that means is that those were the cases that went to trial. What about the cases that got rejected or thrown out. Let's open up his file and see what misconduct allegations have been made against him in the past. Sounds like somebody's Lawyer is throwing made up stats out there to make his client look good! "

Kathy P wrote on Mar 7, 2008 1:23 PM:

" If these people had a complaint why did they not complain immediately? They could have used media if they were afraid nothing would have been done about the incident. There are several "celebrity" cause fighters out there that would have loved this cause. They now are looking into filing a civil rights case against Gary PD. Do I smell money? "

Re: lost your mind wrote on Mar 7, 2008 12:58 PM:

" two words - due process. I don't care if he has a 100% conviction rate that doesn't mean anything except that the prosecutor's case was convincing. But if one the way to trial civil rights were violated, that is another issue. You can't seriously be advocating for the beating and attacking of suspects in order to get evidence in order to convict them. It's just not right. "

wired wrote on Mar 7, 2008 12:53 PM:

" rudy needs to watch hbo's "the wire". on that show, the new mayor replaced the cheif of police as soon as there was any discrepancy. sometimes we can take lessons from fiction. "

lost your mind wrote on Mar 7, 2008 11:30 AM:

" I cannot believe you are against these men who protect you every day. 100% conviction rate as a detective - meaning catching the criminals. NOT BEING A CRIMINAL. Wake up - should we hold the hands of these criminals and skip with them all the way to their jail cell? What would you do?????
Innocent until proven guilty...... "

I agree wrote on Mar 7, 2008 11:27 AM:

" I agree with the fact that a professional spokesman is needed for Clay. It is easy for the media to twist words and if you do not have someone who can speak them then you will always come off looking like a idiot. "

Gary Resident wrote on Mar 7, 2008 10:49 AM:

" I live in Gary,and I can't believe what has been going on with the police officers. I keep reading about abuse and neglect from them. Police corruption has been going on since the beginning of time. Who's going to protect us from them?. "

D Chicago wrote on Mar 7, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Who's running the police department now? "

Happy Too wrote on Mar 7, 2008 9:51 AM:

" I am glad that a citizens complaint against police officers is being taken seriously. I wonder if the video from the jail provided any relevant insight. "

Bondo wrote on Mar 7, 2008 9:09 AM:

" What What What , What is wrong with you have you ever taken a walk in Gary Indiana ???? Well if you tries it 20 years ago you did it while Armed and with your pit bull , Today gary is a much safer place due to these men you are ready to hang , What , what is your agenda or do you just have this thing about bashing cops ? I am sure the feds will do their best to secure a conviction because someone is looking to make a list somewhere saying they did the job these men did by trying to convict these men ( Clean up Gary )

Do you think the people of Gary are Idiots ? Tehy put the mayor in office and the officers have earned their place in the department and gary is safer for it , wake up "

What wrote on Mar 7, 2008 8:35 AM:

" Rudy Clay you keep burying yourself in the ground with your comments. First off if a cop is indicted he should immediately be relieved of duty and put on administrative leave until the trial is over. I'm not saying these guys were bad cops all the time, but one incident will tarnish your whole career. Rudy you need a professional person who is a spokesman and knows how to speak to the press. You sure do not. Anywhere else your comments would be so stupid that you would not get re-elected. I guess you think all the people of Gary are idiots and will vote for you regardless. Although you do have the power to promise more jobs. "

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