Acquitted of A Murder, A HIV Positive Deaf Man Bit Officer Years Later.
Police: Man Who Bit Officer Tests Positive For HIV – News Story – WSB 4. Excerpts: Police say the incident began when an officer tried to pull over Deadwyler for driving with a broken headlight, but the man sped off. Authorities eventually caught Deadwyler, but he bit an officer as he reached into the suspect’s car to shut off the ignition.
….Deadwyler’s brother, who said he didn’t want to make excuses for his brother but he did want people to know more about him. “He’s deaf, first of all, and he’s been acting almost his whole life. He does sign language and he’s a good person,” said Robert Deadwyler….
Robert Deadwyler said everything changed after the death of their parents. He said his brother did not handle it well and was diagnosed with depression.
Robert Deadwyler admitted his brother had other run-ins with the law and he said Ross Deadwyler had a difficult time with the police.
“Sirens and guns and he just panics,” said Robert. “I think that night he just panicked and didn’t know what was going on.”
The article covering the trial of the murder four years ago: epeachy_blue : Message: Deaf man found not guilty of killing cocaine supplier:
excerpts: The foreman had twice announced “not guilty.” The verdicts Friday ended a weeklong trial in which Deadwyler, a deaf Decatur man, claimed he was defending himself when he stabbed to death his cocaine supplier, Alonzo Smith, last Nov. 4….Deadwyler testified that he had often let Smith use his car in exchange for cocaine but had refused on the night of Nov. 4, even after he took cocaine from Smith. He said he locked Smith out of the duplex on Missionary Drive in Decatur and only defended himself when Smith broke in.
In a lengthy cross-examination, DeKalb Assistant District Attorney Tom Clegg pressed Deadwyler to explain how he managed to inflict more than 30 wounds on Smith, some in his back, while suffering just two cuts himself.
Commentary: Wow. I don’t know what to say… except that the guy is in deep trouble again. From googling, this guy is reportedly well-liked and popular in the Deaf Community. The deaths of one’s parents can turn one’s life upside down and using cocaine to cope with the grieving isn’t unheard of, unfortunately. I don’t approve of abusing illegal recreational drugs, but not everybody have healthy coping mechanisms.
Who wants to get on the wrong side of a drug dealer? But 30 defensive stabs? Whoa, that is literally an overkill. He was high on coke when this happpened. Panic and coke can make a deadly combination.
If this driver is hearing, I would judge his biting an officer very harshly. But I’ve heard enough stories about police mistreatment of Deaf citizens to understand the reason this Deaf guy may have panicked at the presence of police and ’defended’ himself by biting. However, it doesn’t excuse his criminally reckless behavior, though. That officer doesn’t deserve to be injured or have his life endangered by a HIV positive carrier by doing his job.
It sounds like a difficult situation. I hope the officer will test negative. The Deaf guy will need to face the consequences of his behavior. Anytime a person carries a lethal virus, the person must take all preventive measures to avoid spreading the virus to another human being, panicky or not.
It’s very unfortunate that many police officers are clueless that many Deaf people don’t feel safe with them due to previous negative communication and/or attitudinal conflicts. Once the Deaf people have bad experiences with rogue or ignorant cops, some may panic and try to defend themselves the next time they encounter another officer which isn’t wise.
Biting someone, especially while carrying a lethal virus… *shaking head*. If the officer gets the virus, this guy will be charged with attempted murder. MZ
Lighter Side: If you want a good laugh, check this out. http://video.aol.com/video/snake-attack/1893455?icid=200100397x1208327814x1200479281 Poor reporter! (gotta wait for the stupid ad to run though first)
Police: Man Who Bit Officer Tests Positive For HIV – News Story – WSB 4. Excerpts: Police say the incident began when an officer tried to pull over Deadwyler for driving with a broken headlight, but the man sped off. Authorities eventually caught Deadwyler, but he bit an officer as he reached into the suspect’s car to shut off the ignition.
….Deadwyler’s brother, who said he didn’t want to make excuses for his brother but he did want people to know more about him. “He’s deaf, first of all, and he’s been acting almost his whole life. He does sign language and he’s a good person,” said Robert Deadwyler….
Robert Deadwyler said everything changed after the death of their parents. He said his brother did not handle it well and was diagnosed with depression.
Robert Deadwyler admitted his brother had other run-ins with the law and he said Ross Deadwyler had a difficult time with the police.
“Sirens and guns and he just panics,” said Robert. “I think that night he just panicked and didn’t know what was going on.”
The article covering the trial of the murder four years ago: epeachy_blue : Message: Deaf man found not guilty of killing cocaine supplier:
excerpts: The foreman had twice announced “not guilty.” The verdicts Friday ended a weeklong trial in which Deadwyler, a deaf Decatur man, claimed he was defending himself when he stabbed to death his cocaine supplier, Alonzo Smith, last Nov. 4….Deadwyler testified that he had often let Smith use his car in exchange for cocaine but had refused on the night of Nov. 4, even after he took cocaine from Smith. He said he locked Smith out of the duplex on Missionary Drive in Decatur and only defended himself when Smith broke in.
In a lengthy cross-examination, DeKalb Assistant District Attorney Tom Clegg pressed Deadwyler to explain how he managed to inflict more than 30 wounds on Smith, some in his back, while suffering just two cuts himself.
Commentary: Wow. I don’t know what to say… except that the guy is in deep trouble again. From googling, this guy is reportedly well-liked and popular in the Deaf Community. The deaths of one’s parents can turn one’s life upside down and using cocaine to cope with the grieving isn’t unheard of, unfortunately. I don’t approve of abusing illegal recreational drugs, but not everybody have healthy coping mechanisms.
Who wants to get on the wrong side of a drug dealer? But 30 defensive stabs? Whoa, that is literally an overkill. He was high on coke when this happpened. Panic and coke can make a deadly combination.
If this driver is hearing, I would judge his biting an officer very harshly. But I’ve heard enough stories about police mistreatment of Deaf citizens to understand the reason this Deaf guy may have panicked at the presence of police and ’defended’ himself by biting. However, it doesn’t excuse his criminally reckless behavior, though. That officer doesn’t deserve to be injured or have his life endangered by a HIV positive carrier by doing his job.
It sounds like a difficult situation. I hope the officer will test negative. The Deaf guy will need to face the consequences of his behavior. Anytime a person carries a lethal virus, the person must take all preventive measures to avoid spreading the virus to another human being, panicky or not.
It’s very unfortunate that many police officers are clueless that many Deaf people don’t feel safe with them due to previous negative communication and/or attitudinal conflicts. Once the Deaf people have bad experiences with rogue or ignorant cops, some may panic and try to defend themselves the next time they encounter another officer which isn’t wise.
Biting someone, especially while carrying a lethal virus… *shaking head*. If the officer gets the virus, this guy will be charged with attempted murder. MZ
Lighter Side: If you want a good laugh, check this out. http://video.aol.com/video/snake-attack/1893455?icid=200100397x1208327814x1200479281 Poor reporter! (gotta wait for the stupid ad to run though first)
August 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Robert Deadwyler done was very inexcusable and not acceptable!
Sadly, only 34 states in the United States have laws criminalizing the intentional transmission of HIV to unsuspecting victims. DC is not included in one of the states. That explains the high numbers of HIV infection in the nation’s captiol.
Why in the world, Mr. Deadwyler ran off and evaded the police in the first place? Or his mental state caused him behaved in the first place? Or he was simply guilty about something else?
The best policy is to be cooperative with the law enforcement officers.
Not that happened to me. The law enforcement officers were very overzealous and abusive toward me without talking to me first and explain why I was being arrested. Just ran to me and attempted to handcuff me last nine years ago and last Januaruy 2008.
Anyone bit or shoot the law enforcement officers that I would jump in joy. I have no sympathy for those police officers for what they done to me – false accusation to cover up their wrongful and illegal conducts and don’t meet their obligaitons to the given laws like the ADA law.
I used to have the highest respect for law enforcement officers which I usually dismiss other deaf people’s complaints about those people until I personally experienced that kind of situation myself.
I could not wait to see the bad karma hit the Pentagon law enforcement officer – that African American one for roughed me up unncessarily last January 2008 without informing me what was going on. That officer slammed me on the metal column and handcuffed me right away.
We should revist the “no zero tolerance” policy. That cause many people have bad feelings toward the law enforcement officers.
One of the Arlington County police officer last fall 2007 treated me with respect after the ambulance people dismissed me. He happened to know some sign language and knowledge of deaf people. The ambulance people were going to drive off while I was on my walker to the ambulance.
I had e-corresponded with two county officers and had a wonderful rapport with them.
RLM
August 28th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Sounds more of a case of someone who doesn’t seem to be in his right mind, for whatever reason. Pushing the cop’s hands away I can understand, but biting him?
Hope the cop tests negative, and Robert Deadwyler turns his life around.
August 28th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Whoops, I meant Ross, not Robert!
August 28th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
This is what Miss Black Deaf America 2005-2007 said about Ross Deadwyler: “To Ross Deadwyler, what else can I say other than thank you for your choreography of talent!! I owe you big time.” http://www.nbda.org/news/miss2005_07.html
What a mess Ross got himself into.
August 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Ross Deadwyler is deaf man. Robert Deadwyler is hearing brother of Ross.
August 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I understand panicking somewhat, but to the point where you’re biting the officer? I don’t buy his panic story. Not on top of his history of violence and drug abuse.
He deserves to be in jail, and that cop I hope, tests negative.
August 28th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Ross bit the cop? Gee. I think I would like to say, “Where is his sense?” (head shaking)
I hope this cop is ok after the test.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Cops have enough on their hands dealing with dangerous people because of the drugs flooding the streets. Anybody that is different, not communicative or uncooperative is going to be dealt with severely and questions asked later. Cops are dangerous, period.
We need to teach our people how to avoid these situations and to be ready to cooperate otherwise with cops. It might mean taking crap from other people, but it is sometimes better to do so (or withdraw from the situation) than to get into serious confrontations where Deaf people lose more often.
There used to be a time where one regarded cops as friendly protectors and we need not fear them as ordinary citizens. That has changed, unfortunately.
August 29th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Hey Mishka,
Excellent blog post! I believe the charge for attempted murder with HIV carriers has to be carried with “the intent to infect.” This in itself is hard to prove. HIV cannot be transmitted through salivia; so, it is highly unlikely the officer got infected.
As for drug addicts, this is where I believe society has failed badly, they are victims and should be treated accordingly. Regardless of hearing or deaf–no drug addict wants to be a drug addict. 95% of their illegal activities are “forced,” for the lack of a better word.
I think this is a society’s problem. It’s not possible for drug addicts to stop whatever they’re doing that’s breaking the law. Their objective is a “fix” and the human brain has an amazing capability to get what it needs. I think it’s fair not to criminalize drug addicts.
Ben
August 30th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Ben Vess is absolutely right about our country’s lack of common sense how to deal with the recreational drug problems.
Many people have to realize that there are two different things between drug abuse and drug use. Handful of people overdo the recreational drug uses due to the society’s contempt of their doings and fear of being arrested. People tend to rush up their recreational drug uses and end up with too much use of those drugs in their bodies.
Our country need to revisit the “War on Drugs” tactics and show people how to justify and use recreational drugs in approriate drugs, especially the sharing of needles.
I am not a recreational drug user. Common sense approach is very overdue to deal with the recreational drug use.
You see that many people could not afford the gym membership to release their hormones and stress. They turn to the cheapest form of stress-reducing method.
The government and private sector should establish the affordable gym access for people to build up their bodies and release their everyday stress.
Thank you, Ben Vess for bringing this delicate topic what our society have been done to people and their recreational drug uses.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)