Trooper Wiseman West Virginia Fired: The Story Behind the Viral Video
A video of a West Virginia state trooper barging into a man’s home without a warrant and assaulting him has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and calls for justice. The trooper, identified as Rick Wiseman, was fired after an investigation into the incident and later indicted in federal court for excessive force. Here is what you need to know about the case and its implications.
What Happened on June 12, 2023?
According to Reddit, the incident occurred on June 12, 2023, when a man called the police to report that a church had blocked off access to the street with cones. The man, whose name has not been released, allegedly went to the church and banged on the door, interrupting the service. This is considered a misdemeanor offense in some places, as it is unlawful to disturb a religious assembly.
The trooper who responded to the call was Rick Wiseman, a 10-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police. After speaking with the man outside his home, Wiseman followed him inside without permission, claiming that he was worried that the man might be retrieving a gun to harm him. The video, which was recorded by the man’s wife, shows Wiseman entering the home and confronting the man, who asks him to leave several times.
Wiseman then becomes more aggressive and hostile, yelling at the man for raising his voice and smacking his phone out of his hand. He then grabs the man by the neck and pushes him against the wall, while his wife screams and pleads for him to stop. Wiseman then handcuffs the man and takes him outside, where he is arrested and charged with obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.
How Did the Video Go Viral?
The video of the incident was posted on Reddit by a user named Bryr on June 13, 20231. The post received over 300 comments and thousands of upvotes, as well as being shared on other platforms such as Twitter and YouTube. Many people expressed their anger and disgust at Wiseman’s behavior, calling him a “power-tripping bully” and a “psychotic evangelical”. Some also questioned why he was wearing an Israel flag pin on his uniform, suggesting that he might have a religious bias against the man.
The video also caught the attention of civil rights activists and lawyers, who offered to help the man and his family with their legal case. One of them was Benjamin Crump, a prominent attorney who has represented the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of police brutality. Crump tweeted on June 14, 2023, that he was “outraged” by Wiseman’s actions and that he would “fight for justice” for the man.
What Was the Outcome of the Investigation?
The West Virginia State Police launched an internal investigation into the incident shortly after it became public. On June 15, 2023, they announced that Wiseman had been fired from his job for violating department policies and procedures3. They also said that they had referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible criminal charges.
On June 16, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Wiseman on one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. This is a felony charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The indictment alleges that Wiseman used unreasonable force against the man and caused him bodily injury. Wiseman pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on bond pending trial.
What Are the Implications of the Case?
The case of Trooper Wiseman West Virginia Fired has raised several important issues regarding police accountability and civil rights. Some of them are:
- The use of body cameras by law enforcement officers. The video of the incident was captured by the man’s wife using her phone, not by Wiseman or any other officer. This raises questions about whether Wiseman had a body camera or if he turned it off or failed to activate it during the encounter. Body cameras are supposed to provide an objective record of police interactions with civilians and help prevent or expose misconduct. However, not all police departments have them or require their officers to use them properly.
- The role of social media in exposing police abuse. The video of the incident went viral on social media platforms such as Reddit, Twitter, and YouTube, where it reached millions of people and generated widespread outrage. Social media has become a powerful tool for activists and citizens to document and share cases of police brutality and injustice. However, it also poses challenges such as verifying information, protecting privacy, and avoiding misinformation or manipulation.
- The impact of religion on policing. Some people have speculated that Wiseman’s religious beliefs might have influenced his behavior towards the man who interrupted a church service. Wiseman was wearing an Israel flag pin on his uniform, which could indicate that he is an evangelical Christian who supports Israel. Evangelical Christians are a large and influential group in the U.S., especially in conservative states such as West Virginia. They have strong views on social and political issues, such as abortion, gay rights, and immigration. Some of them also believe that the U.S. has a special role in supporting Israel and fulfilling biblical prophecies. These beliefs could affect how they perceive and treat people who belong to different faiths or cultures.
The case of Trooper Wiseman West Virginia Fired is not an isolated incident, but part of a larger problem of police violence and discrimination in the U.S. It shows the need for more transparency, accountability, and reform in the law enforcement system, as well as more respect and tolerance for diversity and human rights in society.
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