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Video may show assault by Oklahoma trooper

(BY ANN KELLEY)
Published: May 7, 2009
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HENRYETTA — A state trooper caught on video kicking a handcuffed woman faces a misdemeanor assault and battery charge.

Barry Jacob E. Rowland, 32, of Bixby has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the charge against him, Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman Capt. Chris West said.

Rowland has been a trooper since May 2006.

Rowland was charged March 3 in Okmulgee County District Court. He is accused of repeatedly kicking Dana Michelle Walls, 32, of Tulsa on Nov. 21 while she lay handcuffed on the ground outside Carolina’s Trail Club in Henryetta.

Calls to Rowland and his attorney, Gary James, were not returned.

Complaint filed against trooper District Attorney Tom Giulioli said Walls didn’t file a complaint against Rowland. The charge stems from allegations made by other officers responding to a call for assistance at the club that night. The patrol headed the investigation, which includes statements from other troopers and Henryetta and Dewar police officers.

Giulioli said video from Rowland’s patrol car and another trooper’s vehicle show Rowland kicking Walls at least three times in the chest.

Rowland claims Walls spit on him and was drunk, according to court records.

Walls is charged in Okmulgee County District Court with public intoxication and a felony complaint of placing bodily fluid on an officer.

Walls told The Oklahoman she doesn’t recall how many times Rowland kicked her, but she woke up in the county jail the next morning with large bruises.

"I didn’t file a complaint because I figured I wasn’t the first person this had happened to,” Walls said. "I doubt I’ll be the last. Besides, he’s a cop. I figured nothing would probably happen if I did (file a complaint).”

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Video may show assault by Oklahoma trooper