Spring Break
Vet students Tasered, arrested in LSC over weekend
Interim chief: Police action justified
Jim Sojourner
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
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Britton Stubblefield and his girlfriend Elizabeth Maybach were arrested, and each was charged with assaulting a peace officer in the 2nd degree, obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. Maybach was also charged with indecent exposure.
Interim CSU Police Department Chief Frank Johnson, who has been Tasered himself during training, said Tasers are "very effective if they're used and make contact the way they're supposed to" and said they "actually prevent officers and individuals from getting hurt" by avoiding physical conflict.
But two witnesses to the confrontation dispute the police accounts of the incident and say Stubblefield and Maybach were victims of excessive force and trumped up charges.
According to the police report, CSUPD officers Christopher Wagner and Wesley Fuller were working security for the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital Junior Senior Class Banquet in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom when, at about 10:45 p.m., the officers saw three women running fully naked through the crowd.
The officers contacted the women later when they returned fully clothed. Officers asked to speak to the women, one of whom was identified as Maybach, about the streaking incident when Stubblefield approached them.
The report says Stubblefield asked the officers what was going on with his girlfriend and Wagner asked him to step back. Stubblefield then told Wagner no. After arguing, Stubblefield said, "F**k you, I will stay right here," and refused to leave, according to the report. Wagner wrote that he moved to place an open hand on Stubblefield's chest to move him away.
According to the report, Stubblefield slapped Wagner's hand away. The officer and student ended up wrestling on the floor. Stubblefield continued to resist, and, Wagner Tasered him.
The probes did not penetrate Stubblefield's clothing, and he received no shock, at which point Stubblefield rolled over and knocked the Taser away.
At the same time, as Wagner took control of Stubblefield, Maybach approached him from behind and struck him in the head. But Fuller said he took physical control of Maybach, forced her against the nearest wall and radioed for backup, which arrived minutes later.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 28
Craig Hawley
posted 5/01/09 @ 12:11 AM MST
Well if there is a video that backs up the girls story the I smell lawsuit.
Wouldn't be the first or last time a cop got arrogant , mouthy or pushy. (Continued…)
Skeptical White Man
posted 5/01/09 @ 2:21 AM MST
"We're a bunch of future doctors. How bad can we be?" Chad Zadina said.
This has to be among the stupidest statements ever uttered by man. Doctors are somehow immune from alcohol fueled rage and bad decisions? Give me a break. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 5/01/09 @ 7:32 AM MST
CSUPD is the biggest waste of time and money on campus. Every year you hear about some power trippin student who uses excessive force. It is one thing if these students had a weapon or were violent. (Continued…)
Savant
posted 5/01/09 @ 10:43 AM MST
I wonder if those "future doctors" think that drunken idiocy and temper tantrums are such a good idea now?
Disagreeing with the police is fine, but arguing and interfering with a contact? Seriously? Has that EVER been productive?
Megan
posted 5/01/09 @ 11:31 AM MST
Wow, I think everyone in Fort Collins knows that FCPD are a group of corrupt, power hungry men that were hired to "protect and serve." But the weird thing is that there is no protecting, maybe themselves but not our community. (Continued…)
Thomas Anderson
posted 5/01/09 @ 7:44 PM MST
Pathetic. Sickening.
Gone are the days of innocent college streaking without police investigation, and apparently, brutality. Give some of these guys an ounce of authority and they feel beating up some poor kid is what, keeping the peace? enforcing the law? what a f*cking joke. (Continued…)
Michelle Finley
posted 5/02/09 @ 8:01 AM MST
These are lovely, caring people who are genuninely kind and concerned with the wellbeing of people and animals. They stayed at the scene of an auto accident and comforted the two who were severely. (Continued…)
Savant
posted 5/03/09 @ 2:35 AM MST
Unless any of you were there to hear Britton running off at the mouth and see Elizabeth throwing a temper tantrum like a three year-old, I would recommend reserving your misplaced judgements. (Continued…)
Zach Yeager
posted 5/07/09 @ 1:26 PM MST
Police exaggerate or embellish their reports all the time to try and justify thier actions, apparently even if it conflicts with multiple witness reports of. (Continued…)
duder
posted 5/08/09 @ 6:29 AM MST
they're VETERINARY doctors, not doctors. i've seen the rednecks they have up in that school, and i don't doubt for a minute they'd behave outrageously when drunk. (Continued…)
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