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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Hottest Galleries: March 7, 2007 Woman claims police assaulted her By Alan Panebaker and Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Casey Miller placed under arrest by Ashland Police Department Feb. 17, 2007. Read Miller's statement of the incident. Submitted cell phone photo Casey Miller was arguing with her younger brother at her home on North Laurel Avenue in the early morning hours of Feb 17. A neighbor called the Ashland Police Department because of the disturbance. Two police officers showed up at her house. After an altercation, during which Miller was wearing only a towel, police took her to jail on charges of disorderly conduct and harassment. The Jackson County District Attorney's office didn't pursue charges against Miller. "When I reviewed the arrest report I didn't think it was sufficient to pursue criminal charges" said Assistant District Attorney Ginger Greer. However, Miller says the case isn't closed yet. Angered by her night in jail, she plans to file an official complaint once she has an attorney who will represent her in a civil case. She said police officers were unnecessarily rough with her — and added that she didn't even break the law, though she admits to fighting with her brother. She was preparing to get into the shower, when Ashland Police Officers Art LeCours and Mike Vanderlip arrived at her home. "I had a towel wrapped around me because I knew I didn't do anything wrong," Miller said. "I thought, 'this will probably be quick.'" Miller asked the officers what the problem was, and they told her to put her clothes on because she was going to jail. She said she was not doing anything illegal and refused to permit the officers in her home. "I was confident that I'd done nothing to deserve going to jail over so I asked him defensively why I was going to jail and that's when things got out of line," Miller said. Click on image to access a PDF of the full report. She says LeCours put his hands around her neck, wrestled her to the couch and put all of his weight on her naked body. "The officer forced his hands on my shoulders," she recalled. "I took my right arm and brushed at his arm to show him that he was being forceful and said let go of me. He then grabbed my right arm and twisted it behind my back and pushed me into my house restraining me onto my couch. At this point my towel had fallen completely off and I was naked and felt very violated in my person and home." Police say they asked Miller to put clothes on while she was outside and she refused. They described her as visibly intoxicated and acting in a belligerent manner. LeCours does not deny that he grabbed Miller, but says her towel never fell off. When Miller would not go inside to get dressed, LeCours, according to a police report, said, "At that point I placed the palms of my hands on her shoulder in an attempt to redirect her back into the house. [Miller] then took her right hand slapped my left arm away, making physical contact. [She] had moved her left hand/arm towards me at which point I grabbed her left hand and brought it back behind her," he wrote in describing the same series of events that Miller described above. LeCours said he alerted Miller to the fact that she was under arrest. Miller said she was never apprised of her Miranda rights, and was never told she was under arrest. Ashland Police Deputy Chief Rich Walsh said he spoke with Miller about filing an official complaint, but she had not come down to the police station to do so. "She would need to come down to tell us exactly what her issues are, and at that point, we would have to do an internal affairs investigation," he said. Walsh said internal affairs investigations take a large amount of time. Sometimes, they show people in the department acted accordingly. Other times these investigations determine police officers didn't act accordingly. "They are (a lot of work)," Walsh said. "But it's part of the job." Ralph Temple, a retired attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, said he had been in touch with Miller regarding her case, but it was too soon to recommend to the Portland ACLU whether the case warranted action. However, Temple said, he has experienced cases where police officers believe it is an offense not to be polite to an officer. He said he would not make any judgments about Miller's case but did say "it sure looks funny." Temple said often people will defend police because they have to put up with a lot of criticism. He said we should expect more from our police. He said any incident where a citizen is arrested simply because they are being rude to an officer is worthy of critique. "One is too many, two is a pile and three is like 'what the hell is going on here?'" Temple said. Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x 226 or [email protected] . Current Comments: I guess things haven't changed with APD. Pretty hard to keep a towel on with no hands. Do people have any rights on their own property anymore.Lets see has this unfolds. ann - ashland or - March 7th, 2:14 PM I have to wonder, if the harsh treatment of our citizens is what the Ashland residents want from the police department. Sounds as if the military style officers have arrived. I feel sorry for our residents. tomkat - Ashland, OR - March 7th, 2:21 PM Every time I have dealt with the APD , I came away with the feeling that these folks have no oversight , are incompetent and act in an arrogant , sometimes brutal manner. This is in 4 incidents . These people need civilian oversight , as they have built a wall around themselves made of bureacracy . Have you ever tried to deal with them ?? Good luck. Nothing will be done until it costs the city a bunch of money and hopefully no one will get hurt . Michael ( [email protected] ) - ashland - March 7th, 2:21 PM I hope she sues them into the ground. I wish, however, that she had not been intoxicated (apperantly) so there could be no dispute over the matter. The APD is the most unprofessional police organization I have ever encountered with offenses ranging from total unprofessionalism to outright brutality. Just last week I saw two female police officers in uniform park there cruiser on the plaza in a yellow zone only to then get out and go shopping at the children's store. How unprofessional is that? Jon - Ashland - March 7th, 2:46 PM In addition to that, every time I have had to call them for disturbances near where I live, it takes 1-2 HOURS for them to show up and one time they even came to my place to reprimand me for dialing 911 when someone was trespassing on the property where I live and digging through the trash. The officer was stern and downright rude. I felt as if I was going to get arrested if I said anything inflammatory in response. He even threated to cite me if I called 911 again for that tyep of offense. Jon - Ashland - March 7th, 2:48 PM Sounds like the officers used restraint when dealing with the intoxicated and unreasonable female. Imagine how easily this would have been avoided if she just cooperated with the officers in the first place. The officers would have left within five minutes of arriving. Nate - Ashland, Or - March 7th, 3:28 PM Two sides to every story. Yet ya'll are jumping on the side of the drunk lady that decided to fight to police. I think I will wait to see what the other side is. Bill Henrickson - Ashland, OR - March 7th, 4:24 PM Jon, did you know that 911 is reserved for emergency calls? Yeah... 911 is for emergencies. And a homeless person in a garbage can isn't an emergency. Mr. French - ashland, oregon - March 7th, 4:37 PM I have dealt with APD on numerous occasions and never once have they let me down. This is ridiculous! Why would they be employed to "Protect and Serve� our community if they were going to do anything less?! Samantha - Ashland, OR - March 7th, 4:56 PM One of the first things to go when one has been drinking is their good judgement. The memory might not be so good, either. Donna D. - Ashland OR - March 7th, 4:56 PM Did any of you read the police report? This was just another instance of a drunken drama. She's lucky the charges were dropped. This is CRAZY - Ashalnd - March 7th, 5:03 PM the police report states that officer lecours only placed his palms on my shoulders. i just came home from the hospital where i got the medical records for when i was released from jail and it clearly states from an authorized doctor that there was bruising around my neck. casey - ashland - March 7th, 5:36 PM I hope for the sake of us all she pursues her case. We could use a police review board here. Yes, more bureaucracy, but events make it necessary. Thomas - ashland - March 7th, 5:40 PM Drunk and stupid is no way to go through life ... Dean Wormer - Ashland - March 7th, 5:44 PM WOW! Some people of Ashland will bite at anything! Please? Could the story be any more one sided? So, I can be drunk, belligerent, cause a scene, and expect not to get arrested because I refuse to get dressed? Lets hear the WHOLE story! Rose - Ashland, Oregon - March 7th, 6:00 PM Standing on your front porch drunk, naked but for a towel, and taking a swing a police officer. What did you expect? Oh that's right this is Ashland. Come on Officers LeCours and Vanderlip get with the program; you should have let her hit you again and then given her a hug and a 'let's be friends' balloon and been on your way. tiwal - Ashland - March 7th, 6:04 PM This is the type of incident that can happen when a majority of your police force lives in different communities with different sets of values (i.e military vs. community policing) and has an attitude about the local residents. Since Chief Gary Brown left ( and with Mike Bionca ousted) I have felt less and less comfortable with our police. They tend to be inexperienced and unfriendly. If Ashland truly believes in "community policing", then we should require our police force to live in Ashland. Ryan - Ashland - March 7th, 6:04 PM It is not a crime to drink in your own home, nor is it a crime to argue with your siblings. The Ashland police have overstepped their authority and should be held accountable. Melissa ( [email protected] ) - Applegate - March 7th, 6:05 PM I find it nauseating to think we still live in backward times. This is a huge problem. I'd like to think the city gov't could take action regarding the low quality police force that we are subjected to. I think it's important to keep tabs on the dept; that may well be the role of the govt, the citizens and the press. That said, I think there are a few decent folks in there. I met an officer (Johnson? or Jones?) who seemed reasonable and personal. I'd like to know who the good ones are. Jonathan - Ashland - March 7th, 6:18 PM Everytime I've had anything to do with APD, they've been courteous, helpful, prompt and professional. Do you think maybe it's because I don't act like a smart-ass punk, get in their faces, call them names and otherwise seek a confrontation? Seems to me the story here is familiar: stoned broad freaks out, jumps bad on the cops, then cries "foul" to try to beat the rap and maybe collect a few bucks out of the deal. Hey, it's worth a try, right? This is Ashland, after all . . . nofreelunch - ashland, OR - March 7th, 6:21 PM 1. I would like to know what Officer Vanderlip has to say about the ordeal. 2. I am a 16 year old driver on the streets of ashland, and when I got assulted in my vehical Mr. Vanderlip would not listen to what I had to say and only stated that I was "Blowing things out of order." As I left the sceen he sited me for the sound of my cars exhaust. 3. Please tell me we don't need to deal with their unprofesinal skills any longer. ASHLAND DESERVES BETTER! Sam C ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, OR - March 7th, 6:37 PM After reading the police report, it's apparent that this young lady was treated in a very professional manner. Once you strike an officer, all bets are off and the officer will act in a way that is ultimately the safest for him/her. The other comments I have read here are laughable. Being a police officer, I can see exactly what type of people have commented above. Rick - Roseburg, OR - March 7th, 7:05 PM District Attorney's office didn't pursue charges against her. stating: "When I reviewed the arrest report I didn't think it was sufficient to pursue criminal charges" Assistant District Attorney Ginger Greer. let'see: this happened on private property: the officer saw the man and woman were not injured: the officer placed his hand upon the woman: our new chief needs to attend to the Deputy Chief's poor attitude and make an "internal affairs" proceedure that is 21st century now. older resident - ashland, or - March 7th, 7:21 PM So now everyone that has gotten a ticket and is mad at the police can vent? Get off the bandwagon, people. Obviously, the girl was drunk and disorderly, she just brought home some guys from a bar? Real classy person here. And lets use some common sense, if you need to talk to the police, about anything, just put some clothes on. It would have taken her a couple minutes to get dressed, but she was drunk and uncooperative, now look at her. Classy, indeed. Paul - Ashland, OR - March 7th, 7:41 PM I have had a dealing with this office LeCours. He's not very "ashland" and every occasion that I've witnessed him with our local folks, he's been rude and very nazi-like. Our police force needs "cleaned up". Maybe there are too many police officers if they need four of them for one drunk girl that yells too much! JT - Ashland, Oregon - March 7th, 7:54 PM Strange......every time I have any dealings with the Ashland Police Department it has been professional and courteous. Maybe it is the professional side that rubs people into a belief that our local police are anything but some of the best--- Personal I like having a police department that does the job of policing and are not the product of the misguided control freaks in our community who base their interactions and decisions on paranoia and fear---on and on on and on - ashland - March 7th, 8:13 PM This is the police department that Mayor Morrison forced upon Ashland: arrogant, rude, and prone to mishandle the small problems that occur on their watch. They're in the wrong town for their SWAT team fantasies. Chris - Ashland - March 7th, 8:39 PM Since I wasn't there, I won't comment on the above article. I DO want to say that anytime I have needed the APD, they have been prompt, professional, courteous, and caring. Clinton - Ashland - March 7th, 9:23 PM It doesn't help that our citizens in this town have the idea that they need to be nosey. It isn't safe to have a loud arguement people. Argue in whispers. I am pretty pro-police in general, but our APD is not only rude, but they are unprofessional and over zealous. I've had my share of seeing how they handle situations and even escalate things. Anne - Ashland - March 7th, 9:36 PM i thought by law a woman has to be handled by a female officer especially considering the woman was in a towel? I hope she sues! heather - ashland,oregon - March 7th, 10:58 PM It sounds to me like these officers had gone there to make sure everybody was ok. And then, while in the process of making sure that this (very drunk) girl was alright, she pushed or slapped one of the officers. We don't pay our officers to get slapped and/or pushed. There shouldn't be ANY expectation that it is at all reasonable to slap or push an officer. That's just the way I was raised. I haven't seen anything in this article or police report that tells me she's standing on firm grounds. Mr. French - ashland, oregon - March 7th, 11:17 PM APD are for the most part (with some noteable exceptions) a bunch of losers that don't have a strong leader. They should have a work trade program with a deptartment that really has to do some law enforcement. Send a couple of these guys or gals to Oakland, Chicago, or Miami for a week and they'd be scrambling to get back to Ashland. When a leader shows up, he's trashed, whether a "touchyfeely" or a "kickbutt wannabe swat cop". Let's get real, APD, understand and appreciate this community. Marie - Ashland, OR - March 7th, 11:48 PM Jon they are to buzy catching harden criminals than to worry about your property whether its trash or not. Why is Walsh the spokesperson as far as I know we have 2 on payroll. The new chief and old still on payroll till he retires.How blind can people be.How many incidents has one of these guys been in? Was a female officer called?Thank god the taser didn't get used. ann - ashland or - March 7th, 11:59 PM Let's see, Ms.Miller had an chance to register a complaint with the police department, but turned to the Daily Tidings in hopes of sensationalizing her side of the story instead. Her actions that night caused the police to be called, she was drunk, belligerent and yelling loud enough to disturb the neighbors. Now she wants to sue. I'm glad the police showed up and took care of the problem. That's why they're there. Lastly, no excuse to strike an officer, just shows her lack of judgement. Tsk Rudolph Neffenberg - Ashland, Oregon - March 8th, 12:12 AM I find the comments to this MORE compelling than the story itself. Crime in our country continues to escalate, yet we reduce funding needed to fight it. Then we condemn the few who stand up to protect us every chance we get. Its a sad state if you are willing to believe a belligerent alcoholic druggie over an officer of the law. Then, "wish" she hadn't been so she would have a better chance of sueing them. What are we teaching our children? This story is nothing more than tabloid garbage! Robin M - ashland, or - March 8th, 12:49 AM If you think the APD is so bad do a ride along. Request to ride with an officer for a week. Maybe then you will be aware what the life of a officer truely is like. You will never fully understand, for you will not be in a situation where you life is threatened. But, maybe you will walk away with a little more appreciation for the level of safety you have. And be a little less petty about the mundane. Robin M - ashland, or - March 8th, 1:05 AM The "victim" willing admits that she was 1)intoxicated, 2) naked 3) brought home not just one, but TWO men from a bar, 4) smoked marijuana and JUST HAD A BABY??? And we are critcising the officers because why? How about someone calling childrens services and investigating this "victim". The problem is, everyone wants an officer to deal with everything from parking violations, noise complaints to domestic violence. But nobody wants to own up the responsiblity of dealing with the consequences K Chastain - Medford - March 8th, 1:12 AM Editor Note:When you hear people criticize the Tidings policy about not having to use your full name on postings, this is what they are talking about. Our police serve with a high level of professionalism and honor. I know these people and they do a fine job. This "opinion" page where you allow people to attact others without having to stand up and state their name is tearing at the fabric of our community. It's cheap, it's cowardly, and it's abusive. Perhaps that is what you want to promote? Dennis Slattery - Ashland, OR - March 8th, 6:19 AM Oh please, are only the whiney, criminal-loving Ashlanders posting comments here? That's all I see. John-if she sues APD "into the ground", she gets your tax money!! She sounds like she disobeyed a direct order from a police officer, so the officer had every right to do what he did. I feel sorry for these officers, having to deal with a crazy naked drunk idiot. Leo ( [email protected] ) - Ashland - March 8th, 7:16 AM A lawsuit requires damages (not to mention culpability...) What are her damages? Medical bills, if there are any? "Sue them into the ground"? No lawyer will take this case -- 1/3 of nothing is nothing. Lawyer - Ashland, OR - March 8th, 8:09 AM Shame on Ms. Miller for her sense of entitlement, that she was mistreated. Read the report. Shame on the tidings for feeding her entitlement. Shame on the vocal minority to jump on "hate the police bandwagon". Time for the town to take a deep breath and re-evaluate. Ellen Barsi - ashland, or - March 8th, 9:13 AM A comment from Ms. Miller? Please enlighten us with more information. Or as a wise person once told me, it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. Keep talking. Rudolph Neffenberg - Ashland, Oregon - March 8th, 9:14 AM I am so relieved to read the comments today. After yesterday's first four or five comments I thought it was a joke. The support for our police needs to be vocalized. Nate - Ashland, Or - March 8th, 9:25 AM Interesting case. Both officers admit that physical contact was initiated by Officer LeCours; it seems clear that it was acertained before the contact that no assault had occurred during the argument between the siblings. Seems Officer LeCours prolonged and escalated the contact due to Ms. Miller's intoxicated state. Certainly, Ms. Miller misbehaved. Such is to be expected with drunks. However, the initial misconduct was by Officer LeCours who should not have put his hands on Ms. Miller. Dane Coefer - Ashland, OR - March 8th, 9:57 AM Plan and simple: SHE STRUCK THE OFFICER! Why can�t you people get that!? If she would have just been calm and explain what was happening things would have been over in 5 minutes. I�m surprised every officer just doesn�t quite and goes somewhere else. Then where would you be? I feel unsafe in a town where the police officers are afraid to due their jobs for fear of being sued every time some college educated hippie cries foul. AC - A-town - March 8th, 11:30 AM hello people!! the REPORT is bunk! i've dealt with police officers on many occasions. i've worked in mini markets and bars and even had a private escort as a bartender once. i've never been in trouble for anything involving police so why now? all of a sudden i was drinking in my own home, ALONE! there were no two other guys there if you read the report and again why would the police not completely fabricate the story? after all it looks like trouble to me. casey - ashland - March 8th, 11:43 AM I LOVE HOW EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO COMMENT ON ABOUT THE POLICE REPORT AND EVERYTHING BUT WHY HASN'T ANYONE READ MY STATEMENT? WHY ARE THERE NO COMMENTS THERE? IT'S PRETTY EASY, OFFICER LECOURS AND MY STATEMENTS PRETTY MUCH COINCIDE EXCEPT THAT HE MADE PHYSICAL CONTACT FIRST. NOT ONLY THAT BUT AROUND MY THROAT (WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTED FROM THE ER) OBVIOUSLY I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN TOO BELIGERANT IF I WAS OF SOUND AND MIND ENOUGH TO THINK OF HAVING THE PICTURE TAKEN AND TO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. casey - ashland - March 8th, 11:57 AM People, a crime is a crime. And if someone is committing a crime and you are watching it, it is appropriate to call 911. In "normal" communities, the police would hustle over and take care of the problem by arresting the criminal. In this bizarre community, people actually expect you to sit there and watch the criminal finish committing that crime and then call the slow police number, as if there is no urgency to the matter. Then you know what happens to the criminal? Not a damn thing. Jon - Ashland - March 8th, 12:13 PM Casey: You need not defend yourself regarding the faceless thoughts on this comment page. Almost none of them have the chutzpah to identify themselves in a public forum and they therefore deserve no response from you - the only person on this comment page that was even present at the incident. Everyone has their own personal experiences with the cops, as did you. Comments of those not there mean nothing; they remain nothing more than just a screech in the fog of cyberspace - ignore them. EC - AZ - March 8th, 12:29 PM I just reread the police report and am having a hard time understanding why Casey believes that the police accused her of "drinking in my own home, ALONE!". The report only states that she was visibly drunk and the brother states that she had recently returned home from a bar with two men whom the brother had just kicked out. My guess is that no attorney will be willing to touch this with a ten-foot pole. Chris A. - Medford, OR - March 8th, 1:18 PM Not much incentive for our boys in blue to want to respond to our calls for help. Maybe every drunk chic should be threatening to sue the PD when they get in trouble. Maybe next time I get a speeding ticket I'll sue the Officer who issued it because he spit when he talked. C'mon Ms. Miller, grow up. You are the one who let your mouth and your actions get you in trouble. I'm sorry that you were humiliated by being naked with an audience, but your beligerance surely didn't keep your towel in place Not as Trashy - Ashland - March 8th, 1:27 PM EC-AZ...Its so nice to condemn the comments of the people who don't "identify" (hence EC)themselves. Hypocrite. Yes, lets all get drunk, stoned and take a swing. Then we can live in the lap of luxery of money made by our own stupidity. As for Miss Miller...I would contact one of the many classy choices you brought home about the bruises. Maybe they will remember where they came from, that is if you recall any names. Robin M - Ashland,or - March 8th, 2:59 PM why does everyone keep commenting about classy choices? we're not talking about who was at miss miller's house before the cops got there, even if there were obviously they weren't there long if the brother kicked them out. we're talking about a police report where the officer clearly admits making physical contact first, we're talking about an officer who quotes that "her towel never fell off" but if you scroll up it's plain as day that the towel is off. she should post up the medical record hellhath - ashland - March 8th, 3:44 PM most, but not all, cops are control freaks at one level, or they wouldn't be in that job. we will die if we let them take advantage of our few (if any) civil liberties left. we are facing the abyss here.....it's only a matter of time until black paddy wagons escort the rest of the "marginal" population to the gas chambers. sound familiar? it is history repeating itself, step by step. be afraid.....be very afraid. but most people will say this is absurd. we will see, we will see. uncle skippy - ashland - March 8th, 3:46 PM since when did it become a crime to drink in your own home? i don't believe that cop for a second. that is a very erotic picture and i think it would be worth investigating to the fullest. furthermore; the second ms miller got out of line they should have called in a female to deal with her. no matter what she did prior to her arrest that cop had no business with his hands anywhere near her shoulders or neck, in her house, or on top of her. IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO DO WHAT SHE'S DOING. eric - ashland - March 8th, 4:07 PM I've never been treated very well by any of the boys in the blue baseball caps. Ever. Even off-duty they'll stink-stare me. I'm not a criminal, but I don't take intimidation very well, either. Yes, our "troopers" are attitudinal and YOUNG. The "skin-head with Glocks"- mentality is dangerous. We don't need that type of cop anywhere. Too bad we can't "elect" them, like we do the Sheriff. Too bad we can't FIRE any of them if they receive "X" number of substantiated complaints!! That'd HELP ! Rude2meToo - Ashland - March 8th, 4:26 PM Imagine this: "Put some clothes on, we need to talk to you and make sure you're all right." "Ok." Comes back 2 minutes later with clothes on. "What do you need to talk to me about?" "We need to make sure you're ok..." And the investigation continues with cooperation. I guess our town is the place where hypersensitive don't-hold-me-responsible-for-the-crime(s)-I've-committed types congregate. Mr. French - ashland, oregon - March 8th, 4:29 PM Gee Tidings, readership must be down (I noticed it had been kinda boring lately.) So you stir the pot by giving some drunk druggie her 15 minutes of fame. She's "absolutely humiliated" yet has her "witnesses" take a naked photo of her and submit it to the paper? Class, real class. Last time I read anything about domestics, the law required the police to take the offending party to jail. Oh well, it gives the Navickas cop-hating Natzi-name-calling crew a venue (including his brother, Ryan) Get a Clue - Ashland, OR - March 8th, 4:33 PM Mr. French I love how you think everybody in Ashland would do no harm to anyone. Imagine this: (let�s remember this lady is drunk, high and angry) "Put some clothes on and come back" 2 minutes later comes back with clothes on and a shot gun. .5 sec after that there is a shoot out and now the lady and a cop is shot dead. Police due the things they do so they and above all use other people don�t get hurt (that includes drunk and high naked ladies with towels on). AC - A-town - March 8th, 4:38 PM that last comment, mr. french is funny because you're absolutely right. unfortunately for ms. miller that doesn't seem to be the sequence of events. honestly i couldn't see the police being that polite to her anyway. i read miller's statement and it says that she had an ankle injury at the time. that's probably why she needed to limp to the door and hold herself up. AFTER ALL SHE DIDN'T COMMIT ANY CRIMES, THAT'S WHY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY CLOSED THE CASE. hellhath - ashland - March 8th, 4:42 PM Hey AC, I'm on your side pal. I think her complaint is bogus. But the officer did give her an opportunity to put clothes on. If she had just put clothes on and came back and talked, she would've been fine and probably would've been able to sleep in her own bed, not a jail cell. I'm not slamming the officer at all for what he did, just those hypersensitive people who complain when they get themselves into trouble. Mr. French - ashland, oregon - March 8th, 4:45 PM not to mention that the officer said he only wanted to see if she was okay. i'm sure that it was apparent when she came to the door in a towel that the argument was over and while they were in her house why didn't they cite her for pot? if she was smoking wouldn't it smell or wouldn't they see it? i'd be disorderly too if a cop wanted to take me to jail and not give me a reason for it. our authorities are power obsessive control freaks. didn't hull's brother just get busted for trafficking? hellhath - ashland - March 8th, 4:46 PM If it weren't for people like Casey women would never get a chance to speak. You criticize her for having the picture, but then what if she had no picture? Would you people even listen to her story? No you wouldn't. There are a lot of people being negative about this when we should be congratulating her for putting herself out there and not being afraid to shout. Ladies, get a clue and realize this woman, mother, was abused and seeks justice. She also has a great body! How embarassing! lisa - medford - March 8th, 4:59 PM Hellhath, before jumping to conclusions you should read the police report. On page 4 of 7 Officer LeCours states the towel did fall off. I have read the article and don't see where LeCours is "quoted" as saying the towel did not fall off. I see a comment attributed to him, but I have to believe that the author failed to read the report entirely. If you notice he also mentions that Vanderlip arrived on scene with LeCours when in fact it was Wenzel. Vanderlip arrived later. Chris A. - Medford, OR - March 8th, 5:09 PM Robin M, let's try this again... Where in my post did I "condemn comments"? I merely pointed out to the LADY WHO WAS AN EVENT PARTICIPANT that the comments of those NOT PRESENT AT THE INCIDENT mean nothing for THEY WERE NOT THERE. At that point, personal identification really means nothing anyway because those nameless mouths KNOW NOTHING OF SOMETHING THEY NEVER WITNESSED. Does that clear things up for you a bit? Does that sound condemning? Or, are you just more confused? EC - AZ - March 8th, 7:11 PM Hey Hellhath, if she was so injured why was she at the bars drinking? Her brother admitted as much and so did she.. Why don't you let everyone know how you would have handled the situation? Nate - Ashland,Or - March 8th, 7:48 PM i see what you're saying mr. french. good point. AC - A-town - March 8th, 8:30 PM For the people who said they should have called a female officer. Sorry to inform you, but it's not required. It's a nice to have, but not required. Leave the APD alone and let them do their job. Guy - Grants Pass - March 8th, 9:57 PM Somebody give her $50 and a bus ticket to White City please. dcs - Ashland - March 8th, 10:06 PM Maybe I missed it here somewhere, but where was the baby during this whole situation? Clinton - Ashland - March 8th, 11:16 PM Officers LeCours has been SUSPENDED from Ashland P.D. for being too quick with his hands before. In one instance he offesively pushed a supervisor he was angry with.LeCours has a history and the allegations that he grabbed this gal by the throat are not that far fetched.When I read his report, he is a cop angry at a woman who wouldn't follow his directions.CONTEMPT OF COP it's called in the police world.LeCours showed her, he forced her back in the house. Protecting us all from a naked women. Pay Attention Folks - This could happen to you ! - March 9th, 6:41 AM The girl was ordered from her home by the police. She didn't want to come out. Her brother ordered her to go out and see the police and then the police ordered her out. She complied but was not happy about it. The issue was then further escalated by the police> LeCours was able to see no one was injured(their claimed objective). But he stepped onto the porch to force her back in the house(Physically force her) WHY? She was not committing a crime. Possibly violating the noise ordinace, no crime. Pay Attention Folks - This could happen to you ! - March 9th, 6:59 AM This woman's behavior was not the best. But she did not committ a crime. She at worst violated the city noise ordinance. It was apparent she was not injured as she was only wearing a robe. The officer's lack of discretion and decision to escalate this incident by pursuing a half naked women onto her porch and getting into her personal space was bad enough, but his decision to put hands on her in any manner and force her back into the house was clearly an aggressive cop frustrated with this woman Jane Meyers - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 7:14 AM Casey was in a towel how much crime could she be doing.How man incidents is it going to take for the truth to come out. My family went thru undo hardship by APD. 3 officers made up their own story, they lied they arrested based on their lies. They weren't worried about anybody lives they banked on the trust people were raised to have on police. One court hearing they were a no show and bottom line both cases were dismissed How can you expose their lie when they are 3 of them.You can't defend the Dejavu - ashland or - March 9th, 7:15 AM Lisa, "You criticize her for having the picture, but then what if she had no picture?" No one is criticizing her for HAVING the picture, only for SUBMITTING IT TO THE NEWSPAPER! And then claiming to be "absolutely humiliated." What a joke, she certainly isn't any "lady"! Try drunken druggie out picking up men in bars & now looking for publicity to get sympathy for her lawsuit. "This woman...seeks justice" not quite my dear, what she seeks is MONEY for her own stupidity! Linda - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 9:03 AM "we should be congratulating her for putting herself out there" Hey Casey, congratulations for "putting yourself out there" by refusing to put your clothes on so you can submit a half naked photo of yourself to the newspaper for all of us to see. Next time, do us all & yourself a favor and put your clothes on...yuck. And Eric, if you think "that is a very erotic picture" you need to get out more! Oh, Gross - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 9:40 AM Linda, here you and your band of badge groupies go again trying to defend the bad behavior of APD.The officers worked very hard painting a horrible picture of this woman's character in their reports. But her character, drinking, picking up men, bring them home...none of this is at all criminal. Why was so much effort put into the police reports to paint her as a morally bankrupt person when it is only their job to report on crimes? What crime? Standing in a towel on your porch is no crime. Steve Lee - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 9:58 AM The woman made bad choices. Yes. The police decision to escalate the event was even worse.The PEACE MAKERS came to her home and did nothing to promote peace.LeCours stood in the yard and argued with her.He became angry when she refused to obey his commands to go inside.He acted.What country is this anyway? LeCours should have warned her regarding the noise ordinance and then left her alone to return to the shower and cool off.Picking a fight with an angry intoxicated woman - APD at their best. Steve Lee - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 10:04 AM Deputy Chief Walsh refuses to do an investigation in the matter until the victim comes down to the police station in person?She can't phone or write a letter?She has to be humilated further by coming down to the police station?Walsh shows his contempt for the people of Ashland once more.These are the people reviewing citizens complaints against officers? CASEY MILLER-If Walsh won't accept your complaint,have your attorney present it in another forum.Civil Court.I'd stop posting here as well. Steve Lee - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 10:10 AM In my day we just kicked the crap out of hippies and kids and nobody complained. Now you people have a gripe with evry mis-step of the police force. We have a tuff job and dont need flag burners and rainbow wavers to hamper the task at hand. Get real! van blarcem - talent - March 9th, 10:17 AM my 1 & 1/2 yr. old was with her grandmother for the night when this went down. i'm 23 years old and hobbled a block over to have a 1/2 a beer that friday night & ended up drinking some sailor jerry's rum alone in my home. what a crime! i did not bring 2 guys home with me. & if i did. i'm 23 & that's not the issue here. i'm humiliated at the way i was manhandled with my boobies hanging out in front my of bro. not my picture. i'd say you skeptics are missing the big picture. casey - ashland - March 9th, 10:54 AM The incident occurred in the early morning hours on February 17th. The story was posted in the Daily Tidings on March 7th because a letter was sent to the paper. According to Deputy Chief Walsh the woman has yet to file an official complaint with the Police Department. Seems to me that no attorney would handle her case so she decided the next thing to do would be to drum up publicity by pleading her case with the newspaper instead of filing a complaint. Chris A. - Medford, Or - March 9th, 10:59 AM It is funny to read people want cops who fit the unique community and how it is all the cops fault for everything and they don't understand Ashland because they don't live here. Step back now, most of these cops have lived here longer than these complainers. One thing right though, things were better, in some aspects, of the Gary Brown days, because this new crop of local vocal whiny minorities weren't here then. Not because the cops were better, but because you people weren't in our town. Get it right - Ashland - March 9th, 11:05 AM Dear Pay Attention: LeCours has been violent before? Can you provide more details? THIS IS NOT GOOD and THIS IS WHY we need to be able to "fire" a police officer if he is out-of-control, not wait for the chief to cover-up for him/her until it gets out hand..but BEFORE somebody sues the City to the tune of another AFN Debacle. Public needs to be able to "fire" a bad cop. We elect a Sherrif, don't we? How bout electing a Chief, too? We'd be one step closer to weeding-out the chaff if we could eh? LeCours L'assaluteur? - Ashamedland - March 9th, 11:09 AM Ashland is nothing like it was 20 years ago. Almost every true Ashlander will tell you we didn't have the problems we have today because the new people who choose Ashland as their home are different. It isn't the cops. I would give anything to have Ashland back to the way it was. Minus a bunch of unemployed, way too much time on their hands, complainers, who contribute nothing to this town other than problems. And back then, the Daily Tidings had much more interesting and valuable info to print. Get it right - Ashland - March 9th, 11:11 AM the fact that i didn't want to go to jail simply because that cop was in a crappy mood does not make me stupid. i know my rights and i would never speak to an officer the way he quoted me. lecours also claimed i was drunkenly trying to read his name badge. well that's funny too because officer lecours and i know each other. my brother shoved me out to the doorway and that's why i was "clad" in towel but all that officer had to do was say is everything alright? not punish me for questioning him casey - ashland - March 9th, 11:26 AM "Pay Attention" you write an awful lot like ol' "Steve Iverson." I wondered when you'd pipe in with your slanted, pseudo "I'm in the know" rhetoric. "Contempt of Cop its called in the police world" Oh please "Iverson", it's called falling-down-drunk, foul-mouthed woman slapping a police officer when he tries to get you to go in and put some clothes on. Reality check - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 11:33 AM EC-AZ I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR POINTING OUT THE OBVIOUS. casey - ashland - March 9th, 11:36 AM this is the last time i will comment on this matter. i have not gone down to the police station to file a complaint because i spent 4 days of the phone trying to do so and was told numerous different stories about what i needed to do to accomplish that. finally i spoke with deputy chief walsh who directed me to the sergeant above alderman and they wanted me to come down there alone and have my statement tape recorded. i told him that was no problem when i found an attorney to come with me. casey - ashland - March 9th, 12:04 PM EC, AZ...my bag....I took you comment a different way than intended...:-) Robin M - ashland, or - March 9th, 12:47 PM Casey....are you enjoying the attention yet? Daddy should have paid more attention to you as a child. Then you wouldn't be spending all your time on here, you would be out fighting your presonal injustice. Robin M - ashland, or - March 9th, 12:58 PM I know Casey and this is not her first run in with the Ashland police. Let's see... she has been in jail for breaking a restraining order and the police have spoke with her on many occasions over her drunken domestic violence episodes. Miss Miller needs to get a job, take proper care of her child and QUIT drinking and drugging! Drama always follows people like this and I feel sorry for the officers that had to waste their time with her beligerance once again. Get a job! - Ashland Or - March 9th, 1:58 PM "Flailing" toward an officer in a manner in which the officer feels threatened is an arrestable offense. Once the officer believes in good faith that these offenses have occurred, he can arrest her. All else about towels, female officers, etc. is irrelevant. Cops often arrest people when they should arguably let them go. But the majority of large drug-busts come from these types of hard-line arrests -- that's how you search people/places, and it's probably what the officer was going for. Mike - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 2:07 PM Okay, I've waited long enough to speak up and now I feel it's time, after the last comment I read concerning Casey's attention from her Daddy, I think some people need to wake up to what is going on here. I am very proud of Casey for taking the initiative to speak out about her injustice. I do not claim there was not a problem that eventful evening, however it was a matter of simple noise violation. How easy it is to judge or take matters out of context. the whole matter could have been avoided. Maggy - Ashland - March 9th, 3:03 PM Why didn't the officers simply let Casey know what the problem was and calmly talk to her? She obviously was not so intoxicated or she would not have been asking about her rights. I was amazed when I found out she had the sense to snap a photo. Why do the dirty little minds out there automatically assume there was something illicit going on? ROBIN M??? This is not about Casey's homelife, this is about an officer that over stepped his boundary. This could be ANY citizen in Ashland. Maggy - Ashland - March 9th, 3:18 PM Casey along with her 3 brothers and sister have had an extremely normal family life. Her family stands in support of her and would stand with any other citizen that came across this injustice. Maggy - Ashland - March 9th, 3:23 PM You guys lay off Casey. Wake up because APD does what they want and they lie so they win. The cop was out of line because he would have had a female cop handle it. Didn't take much for him to get his jollys and because she consumed alcohol it gave him the power. Where she was that night and who her friends are doesn't make it ok for APD;s action. Her private life doesn't give her any less rights.If she files a complaint they will hunt her down and harass her. They were setting her up for a taser ann - ashland or - March 9th, 4:23 PM Steve, How do you get "here you and your band of badge groupies go again trying to defend the bad behavior of APD" out of my post?I'm not defending anybody,only pointing out that she humiliates and embarrasses herself by sending her semi-naked photo to the Tidings, obviously for publicity purposes to aid her quest for money for her own stupid behavior. YOU on the other hand are a cop-hater, "He became angry when she refused to obey his commands" oh really, were you there? You're a Casey Groupie. Linda - Ashland, OR - March 9th, 4:34 PM this ismessedup, why would yousay thatshe is a liar? iknow her, sheis my neighbor, our children playtogether,andshe is avery good mother.shehadtherighttobe angry, but she keeps herself under control.i can not believe that people are bashing her. this is an APD problem, did you know that they dropped the charges? why would they do that unless they were in the wrong? do not think bad of her she did nothing worng. watch, they will be prusued in the fullest degree of the real law.downwithlacours. Robin Killer - Ashland - March 9th, 5:10 PM Wow, more comments on this story than I've seen reguarding the Mt. A expansion, AFN, or the libraries...I smell another Tidings poll coming on :) e.m. - Dramaville - March 9th, 6:56 PM Hey "Reality Check"-Now I'll "pipe in". I've been reading and watching this...interesting how many APD officers has posted under pseudonyms. My comment is the same as I have posted before: Time will tell the story with these officers.The posts here from members of the community who are witnessing the behavior of APD as well as the arrogant attitude of the managers in regards to this girls complaint show the direction that department has gone. I don't need to "pipe in", others are. Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - March 9th, 10:14 PM "Iverson" the only arrogant attitude around here is yours. And your paranoia that everybody is a cop who doesn't agree with you is getting old. I'm sure YOU could have fixed the police department right up...if you only hadn't screwed up and had to leave. Oh wait, that's right, your "not" Bianca. For the last time, I am not a cop, only someone who has read your cop-hating posts here for months (or is it years, seems like it...) Take your meds. Reality Check - Ashland, OR - March 10th, 8:07 AM This is absurd; I�m calling CSD on this one. Clearly Ms Casey has admitted to living dangerous lifestyle. 1 inviting not one but 2 total strangers to her home to fill her special needs. 2 Drunk and disorderly with violence. 3 Using drugs. In my opinion NO child should be subject to this kind of home life. Hopefully the grand-parents can step in and take control this poor child before a tragedy happens. We�ve buried too many children of our community because of neglectful parents. Lori Munson - Ashland, OR - March 10th, 10:53 AM It�s too bad Ms Casey can�t see where the problems at. Grow up and act like a parent! Ms Casey, look in the mirror, the problem is you!!! Ms Casey It�s time to say �I will take responsibility for my actions� and "I will start acting like an adult and a parent" Lori Munson - Ashland, OR - March 10th, 10:55 AM I also know Casey and she takes wonderful care of that GORGEOUS child of hers. Sheworks very hard at everythingshe does and shedoes have a job. A full time job on top of the part time money making job she has. She surrounds herself with beautiful things and tons of plants, how dare you bring her child into this nonsense. Gee, wasn't that restraining order violation DROPPED TOO!!!!??? Her ex boyfriend is a drunk LOSER and filed it to abandon his responsibilities as a father and when HE BROKE TH mikel - ashland - March 10th, 12:27 PM restraining order she got the rap for it and yes, went to jail for it. for THREE DAYS. and then she took him to court the very next week and IT WAS DISMISSED. YOU DON'T KNOW CASEY "GET A JOB" BECAUSE IF YOU DID YOU WOULD KNOW AS WELL AS EVERYONE WHO DOES KNOW HER THAT HER DAUGHTER IS LOVELY AND LOVED AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. HER MOTHER IS A STRONG AND LOVELY PERSON AS WELL AND A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORT HER ON THIS MATTER. SO UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING RELEVANT CONCERNING THE INCIDENT THEN HUSH UP mikel - ashland - March 10th, 12:3