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Fred Kerley's lawyer believes African Americans are generally treated brutally by law enforcement after his client's chaotic arrest, where, despite being a two-time Olympic medalist, was arrested with brute force.
Olympic sprinter Fred Kerley’s lawyer, Yale Sanford, has criticized law enforcement in Miami Beach, Florida, accusing officers of excessive force and inhumane treatment of African Americans following his client’s arrest on Thursday night.
Kerley was taken into custody after a confrontation that escalated when the reigning 100m Olympic bronze medalist approached officers concerning his parked car at the scene of an ongoing police investigation.
Sanford described the incident as a "total misunderstanding," emphasizing Kerley’s accomplishments as a "record-breaking athlete" and "model citizen." He stated, “This was nothing more than an overreaction by the police.”
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07:30 - 04.01.2025
Fred Kerley facing legal trouble after arrest & arraignment for fighting police as judge questions conduct of officers in nasty confrontation
The American sprinter spent the night in custody before being charged for committing a felony following a nasty confrontation with police who claimed he fought them in Miami.
Kerley appeared in Miami-Dade bond court on Friday, where Judge Mindy Glazer reviewed the arrest report and seemed to express concern over the officers’ actions.
“It looks like he was beaten up pretty badly by the police, from what I read,” she remarked, questioning whether the officers bore any responsibility for the altercation.
Sanford accused the officers of escalating the situation unnecessarily. “This was a situation where he was inquiring, and it turned into an action where a police officer was actively putting his hands in front of him. Four officers were not necessary. Discharging a taser was a complete overuse of reasonable force.”
Body camera footage later released by Miami Beach police showed the altercation, with Officer Christopher Bess defending the officers’ actions, stating, “Our officers attempted to de-escalate the situation multiple times. Unfortunately, the defendant escalated it by using physical force on an officer and was subsequently dealt with accordingly.”
Sanford, however, criticized the footage as "obscene" and said it highlighted systemic issues in the treatment of African Americans.
The union representing Miami Beach Police officers, however, defended the officers, adding further accusations against Kerley. Fraternal Order of Police President Bobby Hernandez criticized Judge Glazer for her comments and accused Kerley of resisting arrest.
Hernandez claimed, “Defendant Fred Kerley had an opportunity to comply, and he decided to violently resist. Bad decisions lead to bad consequences.”
Kerley, who faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, is also set to appear in court for a separate case from May 2024 involving domestic violence and robbery.
Sanford has reiterated his stance that the incident underscores the need for systemic change, calling on the community to prevent such actions from recurring.
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