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October 29, 2009

OHP clears trooper's actions during arrest

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says there will be no disciplinary action against a trooper seen in a television news video punching a man in the back as the man lay face down while being arrested.



The incident came at the end of a chase in which Christopher Harrell was arrested. Troopers say Harrell had sped away from an attempted traffic stop before he turned around and went back in the direction of the troopers.



The KWTV video shows Harrell getting on the ground as troopers approached. One put his knee on Harrell's back and later punched him once in the back.



The trooper's name hasn't been released.



Lt. George Brown says the trooper told Harrell three times to give him his arm to be handcuffed and when Harrell failed to do so the trooper responded as trained with the punch.



Harrell is in the Pottawatomie County jail on traffic and drug complaints. It was not known if he has an attorney.



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Information from: KWTV-TV, http://www.news9.com/

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