Dumping of disabled man draws suspensions

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A Florida sheriff's deputy caught on videotape dumping a suspect out of a wheelchair has been suspended without pay along with three of her supervisors.

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said he was at a loss for words after viewing a video of the incident that took place at the county detention center, The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Wednesday.

The video shows Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones dumping Brian Sterner out of a wheelchair and then checking his pockets before she and another deputy returned him to the chair.

Sterner, 32, who was taken in for a traffic violation Jan. 29, is unable to walk although he can drive a car.

His attorney wants Marshall-Jones charged with felony battery and wants her supervisors to be disciplined and undergo retraining.

"I can't imagine any explanation she might have," Gee said in the Tribune article. "This was not a training issue; it's a human decency issue."

An internal affairs investigation into the incident is underway.