FEDERAL HEIGHTS - More information was released Wednesday in what led up to a Federal Heights police officer assaulting a suspect.
Officer Mark Magness pleaded guilty to attempted assault on a man he had just arrested in December. The officer assisting him, officer Dave Romero, told the district attorney's office that he believes "Magness began to lose control when he threw the restraint chair across the book-in area."
Body cam video shows the profanity-laced exchange that led up to the assault Magness admitted to. The suspect is dragged out of the squad car and brought into the intake area. Officer Romero uncuffs the man, grabs him by the neck and screams "Sit down!"
The man then begins to call Magness a name and swings at him. Magness responds with several punches to the man's head and body, despite the man trying to cover up his head with his hands.
Officer Romero told the district attorney's office that Magness has a history of being aggressive with suspects. He said there have been several incidents when Magness physically pushed away from suspects and told "your time is up dealing with this suspect… someone else is going to take over."
He also said Magness had been told that he has anger issues. He said Magness was able to gain control and calm down but that sometimes a Sergeant or other officer would have to step in to get him to relax.
After being cuffed again and put into a restraint chair, Magness repeatedly grabs the suspects head, screams "sit back!" and then shoves the man's head into the back of the chair.
"You didn't mean to swing at me? Cool!" Magness said to the man sarcastically. "I didn't mean to bust your face up either."
Magness continually calls the suspect names and after the man's legs are strapped into the chair, Magness grabs the man's head one last time and yells "ready to relax? Relax!" and then shoves the man's head sideways.
The man would be transported to the hospital for a gash on his chin. He was arrested after allegedly demanding alcohol at a Federal Heights liquor store. The clerk denied the sale because the man was drunk. He allegedly threw a bottle at the clerk who also had to go to the hospital.
In 2009, Magness was charged with official misconduct after a 9Wants to Know investigation. Back then, a man told 9NEWS that Magness dislocated his shoulder after the officer tried to ask him about illegal fireworks. Magness was fined $517.
Magness was terminated on Dec. 29, 2014, according to Federal Heights Police, for violating department policy. His internal affairs investigation was finished before his termination.
(KUSA-TV © 2015 Tegna)
