The audio tape, made public this week, depicts a starkly different exchange than what Stasnek and Fernandes described in their reports and during questioning under oath.
The tape is contradictory to the cops BS statement under oath.
Hey - I listened to the tape - it took a very long time because of Mait and the Geico rep - I heard the officer ask her for her license and Mait say can’t you see I’m on the phone or words to that effect several times. I heard her keep trying to arrange for the rental. I also heard the officer use four-letter words, and not issue any warning that Mait could be arrested.
You shouldn’t be arrested for being rude and self-centered and slow - but you should understand that you’re going to annoy people and they will not be your friends.
I’m an EMT. After car accidents, the driver frequently gets caught up in a phone conversation - they’re shaken up, they can focus on only one thing. That’s nervous reaction. And some of them think they are the center of the universe. That’s character. You can get both going at the same time.
Lacking arrest powers, I can only say, I need you to get off the phone now so I can examine you. I haven’t cussed anyone out yet though I have been cussed.
I should add that people can get very repetitive when they get shaken up - keep saying or asking the same thing - they can’t remember the answer - not always a sign of head injury but can be.
Police officers ought to be familiar with drivers in MVAs clinging to the phone and being slow.
Everyone in this situation handled it badly including the Geico rep - the police officers went over the line to criminal behavior.
It sort of struck me because of the Martin-Zimmerman case - the consequences of escalation even if you are the opposite of a young black man.