HOUSTON – A man who has accused Houston police of using excessive force during his arrest nearly two years ago has filed a lawsuit.
Attorney Randall Kallinen, who is representing 34-year-old Aundre Howard, filed the federal lawsuit accusing the city, former police Chief Art Acevedo and the officers who are accused of being involved in the July 7, 2019, incident of violating Howard’s Fourth and 14th Amendment rights, assault and battery, failure to intervene and mental anguish.
Late last year, Howard’s attorney released 23 seconds of bodycam video. The clip shows two officers chasing after a handcuffed Howard. One officer repeatedly yelling at the other, “Just (expletive) shoot his (expletive)!” After the brief foot chase, one officer catches Howard and appears to hit him over the head multiple times using a pair of handcuffs. Howard is heard on the video pleading with the officer to stop, saying “Alright bro! You got it, bro! You got it, bro!”
On Monday, Kallinen said the entire video included footage of the officers humiliating Howard by pulling down his pants and exposing his privates to passersby.
Kallinen nothing has been done to the officers connected to the case, saying changes need to be made at the Houston Police Department.
“It’s business as usual,” Kallinen said.
Howard said there was no need for officers to beat him after they had him in custody.
“After you got them in cuffs, you ain’t got to beat them up,” Howard said.
According to the lawsuit, Howard is requesting a jury trial and punitive damages.
A spokesperson for the Miami Police Department said Acevedo was not available for comment.
A Houston Police spokesperson told KPRC 2 an investigation by the Internal Affairs Division started in November 2020 is ongoing and that officer Lucas L. Vieira has been placed on administrative duty.