Sheriff Critical of Video, Says Deputies Acted Appropriately

(Crane, MO) -- It's the video that has tens of thousands of people clicking and talking. It shows a violent scuffle between several people and Stone County deputies.

Read More: Crane MO Alderwoman Charged With Assaulting Deputy
Update: Video of Stone County Deputies Raises Questions

An attorney believes the deputies went too far, but Sheriff Richard Hill says they acted appropriately. He sat down with KOLR/KOZL about what happened on that night.

"That's the first incident that we know of," says Leroy Dean.

Dean says flashing lights aren't typical on that street, so on May 5, he and his wife stepped out of their house to see what was going on.

"We sat out back and was watching out because we didn't know what was happening."

It was dark. He couldn't see everything. But there were people closer to the action. And you can see in the video they shot at stonecountypolicebrutality.com

The video tells viewers what to expect, guides their eyes and tells them what to feel before it starts. The site claims the clips have not been altered. It's difficult to tell exactly what's happening, but violence is obvious.

The Wiley Law Office registered the site, and Dale Wiley is the attorney representing three people who were there that night: Donald White, who is charged with Resisting or Interfering with an Arrest or Stop, Jessica White, who is charged with Assaulting Law Enforcement in the Third Degree, and Jordan White, who is charged with Resisting or Interfering with an Arrest.

In a statement, Wiley confirms the Whites came home during an unrelated traffic stop near their house. He says the Whites were ordered to stay under their car port.

He then says, "What happened next had nothing to do with interfering with an officer. It had nothing to do with resisting arrest. But luckily, it was all caught on video. We have acquired three videos that clearly demonstrate the obscene language and brutal actions of two Stone County officers."

Click here to read attorney Dale Wiley's letter 

After agreeing to talk with KOLR/KOZL, Wiley backed out and he won't tell us who produced the video. Regardless of who made it, the video raises questions. It suggests deputies assaulted the Whites, including using a Taser multiple times on Donald White.

Court documents differ. Deputies claim Jessica White was intoxicated and punched the deputy in the head. White also happens to serve on the Crane Board of Aldermen.

KOLR/KOZL sat down with Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill.

"It shows officers after the fact of a possible threat on them or someone taking some action," said Sheriff Hill. "It's edited to the point where I feel they want you to believe something is about to take place, whether you can see it or not."

Court documents (below) also claim Jordan White was using threats to intimidate deputies. 

"You don't see people being beat to death out there," adds Sheriff Hill. "This attorney wants you to believe that we took a dart and threw it at the map of Crane and it landed on the White's residence and that's the family we picked out for the night to go beat up. That just didn't happen."

No deputies are on leave and the sheriff says he hasn't received any formal complaints from the Whites. He's now calling for anyone with original, raw video to come forward.

Web Extra: Stone County Sheriff Interview Part I
Web Extra: Stone County Sheriff Interview Part II
Web Extra: Stone County Sheriff Interview Part III

(See the official charges below. Warning: graphic language)