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.

Source

WENN

Police officers who arrested actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright were “professional” during the incident, a spokesman for the police department has confirmed.

Cast and crew were celebrating the wrap of filmmaker Oliver Stone’s forthcoming George Bush biopic W on Saturday when they allegedly got involved in a fight between revellers at the Stray Cat bar in Shreveport, Louisiana which resulted in the arrest of Brolin, Wright and five crew members.

A witness claimed the cops attending the incident “got aggressive”, even blinding one of the group with pepper spray.

They added that another patron hurled a racial insult at Wright, who plays U.S. politician Colin Powell in the movie.

But now a representative for Shreveport Police tells website TMZ.com that a review of in-car audio and video proves the officers used “professionalism” in the arrests.

Wright and Brolin were arrested at 2am after they allegedly tried to impede local police officers who were splitting up the brawl. The pair received misdemeanour charges for interfering with police, and posted a $334 cash bond the same night. They are all due back in court on December 2nd.

Source

SplashNews

Police who arrested Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright in a recent bar brawl have been accused of “aggressive” behavior, according to a new report.

The cast and crew were celebrating the wrap of filmmaker Oliver Stone’s forthcoming George Bush biopic W on Saturday when they allegedly got involved in a fight between revellers at the Stray Cat bar in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Now a witness has revealed to the New York Daily News the squad of 10 cops attending the incident “got aggressive”, even blinding one of the group with pepper spray.

Police Corporal Robert Elliott says, “We are not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the incident. But officers will use whatever force they feel is necessary to effect a safe arrest.”

The source also claims another patron hurled a racial insult at Wright, who plays politician Colin Powell in the movie.

Detective Rod Demery insists he didn’t hear a slur being used and that authorities were called “because we got a report of an unruly patron. Once police got there, they escorted Mr Wright and (lighting technician) Eric Felland out of the bar. Mr Brolin and other members of the party came out and interfered with that arrest.”

Felland has been charged with resisting arrest and public intoxication. Wright and Brolin were arrested at 2am after they allegedly tried to impede local police officers who were splitting up the brawl.

The pair received misdemeanor charges for interfering with police, and posted a $334 cash bond the same night.

They are all due back in court on December 2nd.

Source

WENN

Actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright and five others involved in filming the Oliver Stone movie “W” were arrested during a bar fight Saturday morning, police said.

Shreveport police Sgt. Willie Lewis said the seven were arrested just after 2 a.m. at the Stray Cat bar.

The Times of Shreveport reported that Brolin was booked and posted $334 cash bond to be released. Police did not say Saturday night whether he or the others had been released. The paper said they are part of the crew filming “W,” about President George W. Bush.

A call to Brolin’s publicist was not immediately returned Saturday night.

“W” began filming in May in Shreveport. Brolin plays President Bush and Wright plays former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Source, Splash

UPDATE: I found mug shots!