This afternoon, the NAACP held a press conference to announce a tactical shift in dealing with police misconduct. On July 31st, NAACP president James Bible and the Law Office of Christopher Carney sent a letter to Seattle city attorney Tom Carr’s office, requesting assault charges be filed against officers David Blackmer and Marcos Ortiz.

As The Stranger reported in July, Blackmer and Ortiz were involved in the arrest of Carl Sandidge. In August, 2005 Sandidge, and his friend Derek Frazier, were headed to a bus stop downtown when they were stopped by several officers, who claimed Frazier was carrying a “gang flag.” Officer Blackmer Tasered Sandidge several times and, while Sandidge was handcuffed and being dragged to a police transport van, Ortiz struck him in the stomach. Sandidge, who had no criminal history, was charged with obstruction, assaulting an officer and resisting arrest. All of the charges against Sandidge were dismissed after officers gave conflicting testimony during trial.

At today’s press conference, James Bible —who was one of Sandidge’s trial attorneys-
stated that “this was not simply misconduct, this was assault. If the city fails to prosecute [the officers], the NACCP and the Law Office of Christopher Carney will file [assault charges].”

Bible has asked the city attorney’s office to respond by August 8th.