Caught on Tape: Clarksdale Family Alleges Police Brutality

CLARKSDALE, Miss. - A Clarksdale family says police went too far during the arrest of a family member, and they say the video they shot proves it. It all started with a traffic stop and ended with more than half a dozen arrests.

"People that live in Clarksdale need to be treated equally and fairly. We don't need to be dogged out like that!"

Lisa Haynes is distraught after her 21 year old son, Steven, was arrested by Clarksdale, Mississippi Police late Wednesday afternoon.

His 22 year old brother, Craig, says police roughed up his younger brother before arresting him for assault on police officers late Wednesday afternoon.

"They beat him up, they choked him, they stomped him. They pushed his face to the ground, they knocked him out cold," says Craig.

Craig Haynes, the oldest of Lisa's three sons, was on the front porch with Steven and their youngest brother, Keith, when police pulled over and arrested their cousin.

According to Craig and Keith, that's when an officer standing in front of their house told them to go inside.

Keith Haynes, Craig and Steven's youngest brother, says, "We were watching to see what they do to my cousin. The cop guy, he just started to talk and told us to get our *** in the house. My brother was like, we are on private property and don't have to. We're at home!"

Keith captured the whole incident by using the video camera on his cell phone. After the officer took Steven to the car to arrest him, Craig says he asked his brother Steven to give him the money out of his pocket.

"My brother tossed me the money. When the money was tossed, the officer turned and choked my brother," says Craig.

Officers then wrestled Steven to the ground.

"He was on the ground. He ain't moving," says Craig. "He in handcuffs and they still got some mace and came back and maced him while he was (un)conscious."

We requested a police report but were told by the Clarksdale Police Department that a report wasn't finished. When asked to comment on Steven Haynes' arrest, Police Chief Greg Hoskins declined an interview.

Still, Steven's family believes that he is the victim, and that the officers involved in Wednesday's incident should be relieved of duty.

"They don't need to carry a badge again. They don't need to carry a badge again. They need to be off the streets," says Terrence Downing, Steven's cousin.

Steven, who is charged with assault on police officers, is being held in the Coahoma County Jail and is expected to be released Friday.