Posted by Jack
What’s happened to America?
What began as a routine traffic stop turned into a 14-hour probe of a New Mexico man’s anal cavity and intestines by police and doctors.
“They say when he stepped out of his car, he was standing in a manner that looked as if he was clenching his buttocks,” Shannon Kennedy, Eckert’s attorney, told KOB-TV.
Eckert’s butt-clenching, combined with the reaction of a drug-sniffing dog, were apparently enough for police to conclude Eckert might be trying to hide something illegal. So, they obtained a warrant to do an anal-cavity search.
For the next 14 hours, Eckert was subjected to X-rays, cavity searches, several enemas and a colonoscopy at the hands of police and hospital employees.
“It is absolutely unimaginable that this could happen in America,” Kennedy told the TV station.
The first hospital declared the request “unethical” and refused to perform any procedures. However, Gila Regional Medical Center had no such concern, and promptly made Eckert undergo several invasive procedures despite his protestations. Eckert underwent an abdominal X-ray, which showed no drugs. He then had two anal exams where doctors used their fingers. Once again, no drugs were found. Three enemas later failed to produce any drug evidence. A second X-ray found nothing, so Eckert was prepped for surgery and forced to undergo a colonoscopy. “This is like something out of a science-fiction film. Anal probing by government officials and public employees?” exclaimed Kennedy, a civil-rights attorney.
According to Kennedy, the warrant for the anal-cavity search was valid only for Luna County, where Eckert was arrested, but not for Grant County, where the Gila Regional Medical Center is located. The warrant had also expired by the time the colonoscopy was performed.
“The thought that they could do this to a man in our country is terrifying. Our community ought to be outraged.
“The public has a right to know about this so they can be aware when traveling through that part of our state to be careful and to be on guard,” added Kennedy.
Deming Police Chief Brandon Gigante refused to comment on the federal lawsuit but told the TV station residents of the town have no reason to fear unwarranted intrusions by police officers.
“We follow the law in every aspect and we follow policies and protocols that we have in place,” said Gigante.
Eckert’s attorney says her client is now “terrified” after suffering so much pain and humiliation. And she reveals he’s still being victimized. The medical center billed Eckert for all the medical procedures and has threatened to pursue him if he doesn’t pay.
The kicker is that the hospital sent Mr. Eckert a bill for all the procedures. When he refused to pay, they threatened to send him to collections.
Jim isn’t that amazing? And a colonoscopy doesn’t come cheap!
What has happened indeed. There are no words to describe the wrong that has been done here. Those responsible, apparently including the police chief, should have the book thrown at them. I’m disgusted and I feel very sad about the further evidence of the state of the country. Those who would do such a terrible thing (And what was wrong with the hospital???) have no grounding in common decency, never mind civil rights, justice and respect for the rule of law.
Social values matter (parents) and our educational system is failing also. I doubt the social battle can be won politically. I just wonder what level of depredation we must reach before people begin to realize the impact of an anything goes value system.
A glimpse into the future of ObamaCare.
yes this is the New America. Dig deeper into the story.
The militarization of the police in America has a new attitude. They play with their grenade launchers like it’s Christmas. In Anaheim they were shooting at women and Children. One mile from Disneyland. There was a complete media blackout of it.
Ya see there is no Liberal, Conservative media just the Citizens United Corporate media and who buys the most ads wins main Stream media.
The same thing is happening in Canada.
look beyond the puppets we call the Politicians and follow the money.