Police urge witness to send in Brolin brawl footage
Police officers who arrested actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright have called for a witness’ cell phone video to be handed over.
Cast and crew were celebrating the wrap of filmmaker Oliver Stone’s forthcoming George Bush biopic W earlier this month when they allegedly became involved in a fight between revellers.
The brawl at the Stray Cat bar in Shreveport, Louisiana resulted in the arrest of Brolin, Wright and five crew members.
And a witness, who filmed the incident on their cell phone camera, accused local police of using “aggressive” tactics, branding their behaviour “disgraceful”.
The source tells the New York Daily News, “It shows Josh trying to calm down the cops (outside the Stray Cat bar).
He’s saying, ‘It’s cool, man. Everything’s good.’ You see Josh and Jeffrey hugging. That’s when the cops MACe them. Then they tackle Jeffrey and Taser him. You also hear someone saying, ‘What are you doing to that man?’ It’s disgraceful.”
But a representative for Shreveport Police dismissed allegations of a heavy-handed approach, insisting the officers used “professionalism” during the arrests.
And now, spokesman Sargeant Kevin Goodwin, has urged the alleged witness to supply the police department with the video evidence.
He says, “We’ve heard about this video. We’d love to see it, if someone would like to send it to us.”
Police Chief Henry Whitehorn, who oversaw the arrests, has since submitted officers’ video footage of the alleged incident to the city prosecutor’s office, which will decide whether to proceed with charges.
WENN
