John Malaer Wiki – John Malaer Biography
An Oregon sheriff’s deputy was caught on camera slapping a disabled man across the face as three other officers pushed him into a jail cell in his wheelchair. Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office then left 63-year-old John Malaer partially naked on the cell floor in a small robe that did not cover his body.
Oregon Live reported that Malaer is an advocate for homeless people with disabilities. According to his representatives, he was in his wheelchair on July 11, 2019 when he got stuck trying to catch a bus in Medford. Police were reportedly called to the scene after Malaer threw rocks at a nearby store, which he said he did to get someone’s attention and help. Malaer was then booked into the Jackson County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct and harassment. He was allegedly subjected to unnecessary force while in jail, his attorney said.
John Malaer Age
John Malaer is 44 years old.
Incident Detail
Malaer was in custody for 20 hours before he was released and charges were dismissed. Horrific footage revealed now shows how Jackson County Deputy Brian Kolkemo slapped the elderly man before he was taken from his wheelchair. Kolkemo is seen violently and forcefully slapping the disabled man. He told state police that Malaer was waving his arms and grabbing at officers who were trying to put his jail clothes on him. Kolkemo also claimed that he decided to slap him instead of pushing him out of the chair.
Malaer crawls on the canvas as he yells for help. He was allegedly forced to urinate on the cell floor several times because he did not have access to a catheter. He only had access to water through the toilet in the cell as he was disabled and could not reach the sink.
Oregon State Police investigated the matter after Malaer filed a complaint with Medford police after he was released. In a federal civil rights lawsuit, his attorney Alicia LeDuc Montgomery wrote, according to the Daily Mail, “The use of force was unnecessary because the plaintiff was already handcuffed, paralyzed and restrained in the wheelchair by other officers.” Malaer, who is suing the officer who slapped him, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, other officers and Medford police said his arrest was false and malicious. He said authorities used excessive force, retaliation, discrimination and violation of his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit further alleged that officers forced Malaer’s head between his legs while he was handcuffed in a wheelchair.
The sheriff’s attorney, Johan Pietila, responded to the lawsuit alleging that Malaer was “uncooperative during the search and refused to remove his clothes or answer questions” while he was with the custody nurse. He also denied the allegation that Malaer did not receive “proper care” while he was in sheriff’s office custody.
State police reportedly referred their investigation to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office to consider fourth-degree assault and harassment charges against Kolkemo. However, prosecutors refused to pursue the case. It is unclear whether Kolkemo faced any disciplinary action following the incident. Prosecutors dropped criminal charges against Malaer last year.
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