image: Crime Blog/DallasMorningNews
Jesus Martinez, who was fired over a confrontation with a panhandler, won his final appeal Wednesday. The civil service review board’s decision was met with jubilation in the Old East Dallas neighborhood — and some criticism of the police chief and the city manager.
Martinez, 31, will get back pay, said Dallas Fraternal Order of Police president Richard Todd.
“The city did the right thing. It just took almost a year to get there,” Todd said.
Chief David Brown, who fired Martinez, said in an email that he believes “in due process for officers and the right to appeal.”
“We respect the decision of the civil service trial board,” the chief said.
Brown had fired Martinez after he confronted Joe Wesson in Deep Ellum. Martinez said Wesson took a swing at him after the officer tried to get him away from people leaving a memorial service.
A passer-by’s video showed Martinez on top of Wesson after the confrontation. Wesson could be heard crying out in pain as Martinez pushed his arms backward over his head.
Many of Martinez’s supporters acknowledged that video didn’t look good. But Martinez said he was blinded by pepper spray he used during the fight to subdue Wesson, who has a criminal history that includes an accusation that he punched an officer.
Martinez was charged with official oppression, but a Dallas County grand jury declined to indict him.
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