Tuesday 24 May 2022 07:10 PM Lawyer for Jose Barreto 'cooked alive' slams sheriff in deceptive efforts to ... trends now
The lawyer for a dirt bike rider who was 'cooked alive' after being Tasered by a cop at a gas station has slammed the local sheriff for deploying 'military-like tactics'.
Mark NeJame, of NeJame Law, tore into Osceola County Sheriff Marco Lopez following the horrendous injuries to 26-year-old Jean Barreto.
He said the police chief oversaw an 'illegal' attack by Deputy David Crawford and later orchestrated a 'calculated and deceptive' effort to quash information.
Barreto was roasted alive after being Tasered by Crawford at the gas station in Florida following a car chase when he performed stunts in the street.
He suffered horrific third-degree burns across 75 per cent of his body but somehow survived and is now battling his wounds in hospital.
NeJame last night ripped into Sheriff Lopez for the conduct of his officer and accused him of trying to conceal information about the case.
The attorneys representing the Florida dirt bike rider Jean Bareto, who was caught in an explosive gas station fire after a deputy tasered him while he was pumping gas are demanding the state intervene in cops' investigation of the incident and reprimand the officer responsible
Lopez said Crawford did not make a statement on the incident, adding: 'He invoked his right (to silence).I don't know what was going on in his mind that day, I can't speak for him. Our policy clearly states you should not use a taser near combustible material. 'We are putting our piece of the puzzle together'
Another video from the perspective of Deputy Christopher Koffinas begins with him following Barreto in a police cruiser before arriving, applying a Taser to Barreto and then seeing Barreto and Crawford catch fire
The lawyer said: 'Sheriff Lopez intentionally did not disclose the damning and incriminatory contents of those videos, knowing how they only highlighted the reckless, violent, dangerous, and unnecessary actions of his deputies brought about the Sheriff's military-like tactics and policies.
'Only after the continued pressure from the media and Mr. Barreto's attorneys and the ensuing public outrage did Sheriff Lopez finally hold the long overdue press conference after three months.'
He continued: 'The manipulation was not accidental. It was calculated, blatant and intentionally deceptive.
'His further attempt to disparage Jean Barreto, who never possessed a firearm and was illegally attacked and then set ablaze, was despicable.'
He went on: 'The horrific body cam footage depicted the barbaric actions of Sheriff Lopez's Osceola County Deputies, further incriminating the Sheriff's Department for its heinous and outrageous actions, brought about by Sheriff Lopez's failed and dangerous policies.'
He added: 'The reckless actions of this sheriff's department and the wanton disregard for human life are on full display.
'The people of Osceola County deserve better and those who are good deputies that work for Osceola County deserve better. Sheriff Lopez's victims deserve better.'
During a press conference held Wednesday, Barreto's attorney, Mark NeJame, demanded the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and US Department of Justice take over the case, and open an investigation into the handling of the incident by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office
Osceola County Sheriff Marco López identified the officer who fired the Taser as Deputy Crawford. Lopez said Crawford will likely face misdemeanor charges of culpable negligence for igniting the explosion during Thursday's press conference
A source told DailyMail.com what Deputy Crawford did was 'absolutely reckless. At the end of the day, did this young man deserve this?
'If he survives this his
