The Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper in the notorious run-in with a paramedic is back in the spotlight.
Trooper Daniel Martin is under investigation for allegations of excessive force.
Martin is accused of beating a bystander at a traffic stop in Holdenville, OK, on Saturday.
OHP says Trooper Tommy Allen conducted the traffic stop and Trooper Martin was the backing officer. Both troopers have been on paid administrative leave since Sunday, pending the outcome of the investigation.
OHP says since the complaint was similar in nature to Martin’s prior complaint involving the paramedic, Martin is now on paid leave.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford spoke with OHP and the bystander’s attorney.
The OHP trooper caught on cell phone video and cursing at a paramedic in Okfuskee County, OK, in May received a punishment. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety put Trooper Daniel Martin on a five-day suspension without pay and ordered anger management classes.
In the suspension letter to Martin, Commissioner Kevin Ward wrote, “…your demeanor and language at the scene was also unprofessional. This is not conduct expected of an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper….the actions involving your conduct and disregard for the welfare of the patient justify severe discipline.”
Less than three months after serving his suspension and being back on the job, Trooper Martin’s conduct is being questioned again about an incident that happened in Hughes County, OK.
Khristopher Douglas claims Troopers Martin and Allen beat him.
"He used too much force and I mean I was complying with them and they didn't have any reason to do this to me,” says Douglas.
Douglas claims this happened as he was fixing a home under construction and witnessed a traffic stop.
Douglas says on his way back into the house Trooper Martin grabbed a hold of him.
"I said, 'why can't I go inside', 'you, be safe and he said go to the street.' So I turned around and then that officer grabbed my arm and the next thing I know I'm clear over like this why he's you know, beating me," says Douglas.
Douglas’ attorney Richard O’Carroll says he is outraged. O’Carroll also represents the paramedic, Maurice White.
"This represents the worst form of abuse,” says O’Carroll. "We have citizens at risk and there is no way to substantiate this."
O’Carroll believes this would have never have happened if Martin had received a harsher punishment from the paramedic scuffle.
"He was a menace to society and they just gave him free reign. They are all at risk now,” says O’Carroll. “We are going to do everything we can do to make everyone at OHP pay."
O’Caroll says he plans to file suit against the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
"The message is that it's okay to break the law and I intend to change that message."
FOX23 has learned Gary James is representing Martin in this incident. He also represented Martin in the paramedic incident. James not returned our call.
FOX23 has requested the OHP Uniform Report from the Holdenville incident.
FOX23 viewers have e-mailed, Facebooked and posted comments on FOX23.com, questioning why Trooper Martin still has a badge. OHP Captain Chris West said it would be inappropriate to comment.
OHP says it plans to release the dash cam video from the trooper’s patrol car when the investigation is complete.
Douglas was arrested during the run-in with the troopers. He is scheduled to be in Hughes County court on Tuesday at 10am for obstruction charges.
Paramedic Maurice White has a pending civil lawsuit against Trooper Martin claiming his 4th Amendment rights were denied.
Trooper Martin became a police officer for Fairfax Police Department in 1997, he was made chief in 1999 but was fired in 2000.
