From Texas CopWatch Blotter (April 2002)
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/torresbeatigdeathapr2002.shtml
April 2002

http://www.aclutx.org/projects/police/copwatchblotter/blotter0402.htm

A video installed in compliance with Texas’ new racial profiling law captured the beating death of legal immigrant Luis Torres by Baytown PD in late January. The department released the video to the public after open records requests by the Baytown Sun and other Houston media.

In a surreal twist, as the officers took Luis Torres down and began what would become a deadly struggle, the Jimi Hendrix tune “Are You Experienced” played ominously in the background, even as officers Micah Aldred, Bert Dillow and Sgt. Rodney Evans subjected Mr. Torres to the final experience of his life..

In addition to the fine Sun coverage, The Texas Observer published a cover story on the subject in March. The video is available on line at http://police.baytown.org/Torres-Audio-Video.html.

Mr. Torres was extremely ill and disoriented, but the video shows him calmly speaking and cooperating with officers; he clearly does nothing to provoke them before an officer leg-whipped his feet out from under him, knocking him to the ground. Torres did struggle as officers subdued him. One officer could be heard to say, “Put your knee on his neck.” After he was handcuffed, the officers continued to pummel Mr. Torres into submission.

As soon as the officers realized Torres was “turning colors,” they attempted to resuscitate him, but not before exclaiming aloud their fear that they were not current on their union dues, which would entitle them to free, aggressive legal representation.

Even before the investigation had begun, Baytown interim Police Chief Byron Jones said he believed the officers followed proper procedure. And Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal has announced he will not ask the grand jury to indict the officers.