Two Washtenaw County deputies and a sheriff's sergeant face federal criminal charges

From the Ann Arbor News:
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Deputies Joseph Eberle, 35, and Eric Kelly, 37, and Sgt. Shawn Hoy face civil rights violations in the June 1, 2006, incident in the West Willow neighborhood of Ypsilanti Township. They were indicted March 12, but the indictments were not unsealed until Monday.

Eberle is charged with 'excessive' force while Kelly and Hoy are charged with using 'unreasonable' force. The cases stem from the death of Clifton Lee, who, along with his brother Bruce Lee were involved in a traffic stop with their nephew near the corner of Cayuga Street and Eugene Avenue in Ypsilanti Township in June 2006. Details are sketchy coming from both sides.

It IS of note Washtenaw County has paid out in the lawsuit brought by Clifton Lee's family. They paid out 4 million dollars. Does this make the Sheriff deputies guilty? Certainly not. Does it mean this more than likey needs it's day in court one way or another? You bet it does.

We depend upon police every day and they in turn don't get called when you are having a good day, that being said YCD will NEVER just side with police because they are police. This makes no sense. We've all seen police break the law and they must be held accountable. No doubt this case will raise emotions, but since this is Washtenaw County and we constantly seem to be dealing with edgy cases that cause consternation, there is no need to panic over this one and overreact.

We'll let this play out before passing judgements. Everyone gets their day in court, even cops.