Sad: Police don't Believe Homeless Woman is Sick, they Arrest Her and She Dies in Custody

«https://www.wvlt.tv/2023/05/16/it-was-appropriate-kpd-chief-noel-stands-by-punishments-officers-that-arrested-lisa-edwards/

By John Pirsos
Published: May. 16, 2023 at 10:07 PM GMT+2|Updated: May. 16, 2023 at 10:15 PM GMT+2
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - In an exclusive WVLT News interview, Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel stood by the punishments of the four Knoxville Police Department officers involved in the Lisa Edwards case.

Previous Coverage: Woman dies after becoming unresponsive in Knoxville police custody, 4 KPD personnel on administrative leave

KPD released the findings of its internal investigation last week. Sergeant Brandon Wardlaw was demoted to his previous Police Officer rank.

Officer Timothy Distasio was suspended without pay for 10 days.

Officer Adam Barnett was suspended without pay for four days.

Transportation Officer Danny Dugas was not punished.

Previous Coverage: Did KPD officers violate general orders when they arrested Lisa Edwards?

Noel backed up the punishments and said the demotion of a sergeant is very serious and long-lasting.

The chief also pointed out that the suspensions are for 12-hour workdays, meaning the 10-day suspension is more than three weeks, and the four-day suspension is more than a week.

Noel said he has to make sure the punishment matches the offenses; otherwise, it could be overturned.

“We have a civil service system,” Noel said. “When there’s disciplinary action, they (officers) have the right to appeal.”

“The discipline that we render has to be commensurate with the offense. And if I go outside of the guidelines that I have, I’m subject to have the entire disciplinary action overturned,” said Noel.

Noel also pointed to the autopsy report from the medical examiner, which said Lisa Edwards died of a stroke from natural causes and that in no way did the officers cause or contribute to Edwards’ death.

Previous Coverage: DA: Woman in KPD custody died of stroke, no charges to be filed

Noel said he hasn’t heard if the officers will appeal their punishments.

Copyright 2023 WVLT. All rights reserved.»

«I really do wonder if this is like the age old story "The boy who cried wolf".
Maybe I shouldn't,....but I'm trying to give what look like fucking assholes in this video the benefit of the doubt.
Was she one who constantly cried wolf till the point where no one believed her anymore......not the hospitals,.....not the police? Is this what we're seeing here?
They became so desensitized to her over the years faking and pretending that they thought this was just another act of many?
Is that it? I'm fucking lost in thought and questions.»

«I'll try to keep this short.
The lady didn't take care of herself or in older age let herself go (sad,...but the harsh truth). Mentally unable? Lazy? Wild past or wild living?......Who knows?
The cops are obvious waiver hires.....as I've said before,....not enough qualified people want to police....soooooooo.....they hire whoever the fuck they can find. This is what that looks like,...and there are thousands like them.
The hospital,....maybe over worked staff that have become numb to suffering? Maybe she's a regular and has cried wolf to many times? Something is going on that's blinded them to not see obvious suffering and being the solution.
I see a multi system/multi fault/multi blame break down here.
This was very sad»

«That family is gonna get big bucks!!! The Dr's that cleared her and the bozo cops who filmed themselves laughing and making jokes while killing this lady all need jail time. Disgusting way to treat a person asking for help.»

«This was someone's mother, gran, auntie....
A d for them to treat her like trash is appalling. She altered them many times what the issue was and they still didn't listen.
Nothing is worse than being in a life threatening situation and you're mistaken for being "dramatic".
These were the most incompetent pigs I've ever seen and the comments they were making were so disgusting.

I've been in a situation where I thought I was going to lose my life and I gave clear description of what was happening to me (at the hospital). The dude was unattentive and incompetent.
I grew up in the hospital so it's like I've worked there all my life- I think I have enough knowledge to take care of myself in the time of emergency (and spacial awareness.)
When someone tells you they're going to pass out or they can't breathe, fucking listen to them.
I also heard comments being made by employees that was inappropriate for patients to hear.
I never felt.so uncared for- like I didn't matter. When you really need help and people aren't actively doing their job to help that's terrifying and lonely.

I can imagine how this woman felt and I'm sorry they failed her.
Hopefully they sue each and everyone of them.»

«The fewer bums and vagrants, the better.»

«Oh well people die everyday»

«Police in america are trained by idf "anti terrorist" division so no surprise when they treat people like this.»

«Police office at the end of the video; "I don't know if she's faking it or just not answering me ". Ffs,, Try taking her pulse. Quite disturbing video but as someone else mentioned its probably an example of the Police being so desensitised.»

«I would hate to have to touch her, even with gloves. Just like shit.

Disgusting people, the homeless. You don't know what they got.»