A Staten island, N.Y., woman is accusing New York City police officers of falsely arresting and harassing her because she captured Eric Garner's last moments on video, a lawsuit claims, according to the New York Daily News.
Taisha Allen described how she was cornered in February in the Sound Beach section of the New York City borough while she was with a friend.
"I saw my friend was being stopped by the police after I sent him to the store to get some ingredients to finish dinner," the 37-year-old told the newspaper.
When she approached to figure out what was going on, officers started verbally abusing her.
"Oh, you're that bitch that filmed the Eric Garner video," Officer Stephen Damico allegedly told her.
Allen attempted to ignore the officer but wondered why he'd brought up Garner's name, according to the Daily News.
"At that point the police officer stated … 'OK. Now you have a warrant out for your arrest,' " without checking her identification to run her name in their system, the lawsuit claims. When Allen tried to walk away, officers grabbed her and allegedly threw half her body over a fence, twisting her arms.
"I had an injury to my ankle two months prior. I was screaming for my ankle, but they beat me with the baton and dragged me," Allen told the Daily News.
She was taken to Staten Island University Hospital, where she was treated. Allen said that while she was at the hospital, she overhead a police captain and another officer speculating that they may not have the right person.
"They were asking if I was ever arrested in Brooklyn before; then they asked if I had any arrest in Staten Island," she said.
Allen ended up pleading guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and obstruction and was sentenced to five days of community service.
"I pleaded guilty because I was scared; I didn't know what they were going to do to me. I was already a witness in Eric's case, testified and everything. It took a toll on me. I was already beaten up and in pain. They killed him, and there's no telling what they can do to me. I just wanted to go home," she said.
Allen is suing for an unspecified amount for excessive force and wrongful arrest, among other charges.
Read more at the New York Daily News.