Lawyers For Both Sides React To McKinney Pool Party Incident
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McKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - From life and death to a pool party that was out of control. What happened to McKinney police Corporal Eric Casebolt before that now infamous run-in at Craig Ranch is now coming to light.
When Eric Casebolt responded to a suicide at a pool in this McKinney apartment complex last Friday, his attorney says it set the tone for what happened afterward at Craig Ranch.
"He assisted them in securing the scene and photographic the body and collecting statements," says Casebolt's attorney, Jane Bishkin. "Eric also spent a considerable amount of time consoling the man's grieving widow."
All that may have made Casebolt a little edgy according to his lawyer.
"With all that happened that day he let his emotions get the better of him. He regrets his conduct reflected poorly on the police department in a negative light," says Bishkin.
A woman at the complex who knew the suicide victim told us she didn't remember seeing Casebolt at the apartment.
Attorneys for Dejerria Becton say she was unjustly roughed up by Casebolt and that job stress is no excuse.
"Each of us has stressful lives and stress comes into our lives as attorneys as reporters so using that as an excuse for what sounded like a defense didn't bother me but I wasn't sure if it did perhaps belittle the apology a little," says Hannah Stroud, the 15-year-old girl's attorney.
But some supporters of Casebolt suggest Becton and other teenagers should apologize for disobeying and mouthing off at officers. Her attorneys say police officers should be used to it.
"I don't think anybody could reasonably expect to confront a group of teenagers without having some kind of bad reaction, especially a person of authority. You go to high schools and see it every day," says Charlie Epperson, another one of Becton's attorneys.
Attorneys for Becton told CBS11 they've already had informal talks with the city that could result in a settlement without a lawsuit even being filed. As for Casebolt, his attorney said he's more concerned about his immediate safety than career future and remains in hiding.
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