L.A. Times Photographer Arrested at Nancy Reagan Funeral Motorcade
DeAratanha’s attorney, Mark Werksman, disputes the official police account of what happened. He tells the LA Times that DeAratanha provided “multiple unassailable press credentials,” including ID cards issued by the Times and by the LA Sherrif’s Department.
But the officers “kept asking him for more ID,” Werksman says. “Then they ordered him out of the car when they weren’t satisfied with his answer.” DeAratanha then reportedly accused the officers of harassing him because of his darker skin color (DeAratanha is Brazilian).
“[The officers] resented that he would question their motives,” Werksman tells the LA Times. “They swarmed him and threw him to the ground and cuffed him.” DeAratanha suffered a sprained elbow from the throw-down.
DeAratanha was arrested on suspicion of resisting and obstructing a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor. The police department is saying that race had nothing to do with the incident.
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