A Prince George’s County police officer may have lied in a report, leveling false assault charges against a 19 year-old in Maryland. The alleged perpetrator, Ryan Dorm spent 4 months in jail following the claim that he assaulted an officer whose the gun went off in the ensuing struggle. The description in the officer’s report does not even remotely resemble recently released surveillance footage.
The incident started when Dorm and a friend say they went to the “Lowest Price” gas station convenience store late on February 3rd to buy snacks. Dorm says his friend was wearing a ski mask because it was cold, but two police officers thought he looked suspicious and were going to rob the store. Ryan says he wanted to avoid any trouble, so he left. Taylor and a second officer followed him. The video shows Dorm being approached from behind, then smacked in the head with a gun. The officer did not identify himself, nor did he order Dorm to halt. The video shows the flash from the gun as Dorm was being struck and the weapon fired.
Supposedly, Police reviewed the surveillance footage just after the incident and dismissed it. The footage has just now, many long months later, been released to the public. Seems to me like someone wanted this footage suppressed until the incident blew over. Sadly, I’m not even slightly phased.
Attorney Jimmy Bell, who represents Dorm, says, “He didn’t just assault my client and violate his civil rights, but he made up a story to write false charges against my client.” Taylor has been indicted and faces a trial in November. His attorney has filed a $10 million dollar civil lawsuit in the case.
