Tuscaloosa Police release video of student arrests involving stun gun, baton

Tuscaloosa police released that footage from November 8 when three University of Alabama students were arrested.

Cell phone videos surfaced on social media of the officers using force on the students. Video taken by bystanders was previously posted online.

Three officers involved the arrests were put on paid administrative leave.

Attorney Roger Appell said because this was the same weekend as the Alabama-LSU game, it’s not surprising that police would be called out to a noise complaint. Officers used a stun gun on at least one person and repeatedly hit another with a baton.

“I’ve done told you that about 10 times, bud”, the officer said.

Videos show an officer at the door of one apartment arguing for several minutes with occupants who refused to exit.

He said from what he saw “the officers didn’t have the right to enter the apartment”.

Police investigating a noise complaint forced three people out of an apartment after an argument and used a stun gun and baton to subdue them.

The students arrested were: Matthew Gimlin Macia, 22, of Johns Creek, Ga.; Brandon James Williford, 21, of Tenn.; and Carolin Elizabeth Giddis, 22, of Tenn.

“Needless to say once I started receiving the videos and watching what occurred, I was deeply disturbed by it and disappointed in the way our officers responded”, he said. “I still think we could have handled that situation much better”. Caroline Giddis was arrested on charges on obstructing governmental operations and harassment. Macia and Williford were charged with resisting arrest.

“Hopefully in the very near future we’ll have the investigation completed”, Anderson said.

The officers were identified as James Kent, Phillip Champion and Gregory Pimm.