Man sues sheriff's office over alleged civil rights violation during traffic stop

A Howell, Michigan man is seeking $15 million after a traffic stop allegedly violated his civil rights, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Mark Frazier, 57, claims deputies used excessive force while responding to a report of a suspended license.

Lawsuit alleges excessive force, broken knee

The incident began when deputies stopped Frazier for allegedly driving with a suspended license. His attorneys state he was attempting to sell eggs door-to-door when he was asked to exit the vehicle. Frazier's legal team alleges he froze due to a medical condition, and that a second officer then struck him repeatedly, resulting in a broken knee.

“It’s a tale of two different police officers,” said attorney Mark Sisson. “One who’s trying to do the right thing, and another who clearly understands he’s having an emotional breakdown.” Sisson claims a video of the incident shows Frazier, visibly distressed and crying, repeatedly asking for his mother.

Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, but stated the department supports its deputies. The lawsuit seeks $15 million in damages for physical injuries and pain and suffering. The video, which runs eight minutes, reportedly shows Frazier sobbing for several minutes.

The core of the dispute centers on the question of proportionality. Was the level of force employed justified given Frazier's alleged state? The lawsuit suggests otherwise. The video itself offers a stark, and unsettling, counterpoint to the department's stance.

Frazier received medical attention at Trinity Health Livingston Hospital and continues to experience the effects of the injury. The lawsuit paints a picture of a man overwhelmed by a medical issue, whose distress was allegedly met with escalating force. This case raises serious questions about police conduct and the application of force.