Photo Credit: Joe Marino/New York Daily News
A videotape release has prompted several independent investigations into the events surrounding Thabo Sefolosha’s arrest last week for obstruction of justice. Chris Copeland of the Indiana Pacers was stabbed in the abdomen outside the club. TMZ has obtained the videotape filmed by witnesses outside the New York nightclub where Sefolosha and his Atlanta Hawks teammate Pero Antic were arrested. The video clearly shows several NYPD officers man-handling Sefolosha.
During the video Sefolosha is repeatedly heard asking the cops to relax and calm down. Later in the video a NYPD officer is seen with his baton raised. A loud crack is audible; it is not clear this may have been when Sefolosha’s fibula was fractured. Sefolosha has been sidelined for the remainder of the season and playoffs due to the leg fracture. Sefolosha is fighting the obstruction charge.
The NYPD has launched an internal affairs investigation. Both the NBA and the NBA Players’ Union have opened independent investigations as well. The video is the latest in a long list of police brutality allegations concerning NYPD officers.
